In a milestone moment for the rapidly expanding sport of girls’ flag football, Mountain Vista High School standout quarterback Ariana Akey has announced her commitment to play at Nebraska. The Class of 2027 signal-caller becomes the first high school player to commit to a Power 4 conference program in women’s flag football, marking another leap forward for a sport that continues to gain traction at the high school and collegiate levels.
Akey shared the news on Instagram, writing: “I’m excited to announce my commitment to play flag football at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I want to thank my coaches, my family, my teammates, and my friends for their support throughout this journey. I also want to thank Coach Liz and Coach Katie for this incredible opportunity.”
The two-time MaxPreps Colorado Player of the Year has been a dominant force for the Golden Eagles, leading them to back-to-back undefeated 19-0 state championship seasons. Over the past two seasons, she has thrown for 8,980 passing yards and 171 touchdowns while adding 2,769 rushing yards and 35 scores on the ground. Defensively, she recorded 102 flag pulls, 10 interceptions, and four sacks. In her most recent campaign, Akey exploded for 4,545 passing yards and 89 touchdowns.
Beyond the stats, Akey has emerged as one of the national faces of girls flag football. She earned MVP honors at the 2026 NFL FLAG Girls High School Showcase (leading the AFC to victory) during Super Bowl week in the San Francisco Bay Area. A multi-sport athlete who also competes in basketball and track and field, she has showcased elite arm talent, athleticism, leadership, and sportsmanship.
Her commitment comes as Nebraska aggressively builds its women’s flag football program. In January 2026, head coach Matt Rhule made headlines by presenting the first-ever Power 4 scholarship offer in the sport to Orange Lutheran (California) quarterback Makena Cook.
The Huskers are scheduled to begin intercollegiate competition in the spring of 2028. Akey’s pledge signals strong early momentum for the program and highlights the sport’s explosive growth. Akey also addressed the historic nature of these developments, praising Cook and the broader opportunities now available: “It’s huge it just gives girls an opportunity especially for Makena Cook who is an absolute dog she’s amazing. … It’s so exciting to see that girls can continue to do this in college.”
As girls’ flag football continues its surge in popularity, with more states adding the sport and college programs emerging, Ariana Akey’s decision represents both a personal triumph and a beacon for the next generation. The Golden Eagles’ star is heading to Lincoln ready to help build a program from the ground up while extending her remarkable journey on the field.