Nebraska’s Matt Rhule Makes Groundbreaking Offer to Female Flag Football Star—What Happens Next Will Shock You

There’s something electric buzzing through the world of college athletics right now, and Nebraska is leading the charge. When you hear that a university is stepping up with a groundbreaking scholarship for a female flag football player, it’s not just a headline — it’s a seismic shift. Enter Makena Cook, a trailblazer from California who’s not only snagging a historic Power-4 NCAA scholarship but also rewriting the narrative for women’s flag football nationwide. As Nebraska gears up to launch its women’s flag football varsity team by 2028, this move signals more than just a new sport; it’s a bold statement about inclusion, growth, and opportunity in an evolving college sports landscape. The Huskers aren’t just adding players or a coach — they’re ushering in a new era, one perfectly timed with flag football’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles. Trust me, this is a moment you’ll want to watch closely. LEARN MORE

Nebraska’ Matt Rhule extends historic offer to female flag football quarterback originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Makena Cook and the University of Nebraska have made history by becoming the first institution and the first female athlete to receive a Power-4 NCAA scholarship for flag football. A native of California, Cook is part of the class of 2027 and plays varsity flag football at Orange Lutheran High School. She also served as the captain of the USA Junior Flag National Team.

The Nebraska Athletics program is in the early stages of adding women’s flag football as a varsity sport. The program is expected to be fully operational by 2028, with plans to recruit players and hire a coach by the fall of 2026. The target roster size is approximately 15 players. The University announced in a press release on January 16 that they would pursue the program, calling it a true banner day for women’s sports.

“This is a banner day for Nebraska Athletics and for women’s sports,” Nebraska Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. “In a time of uncertainty and change in college athletics, creating new participation opportunities continues Nebraska’s rich history of elevating women’s athletics. Flag football is one of the nation’s fastest growing sports and has exploded in popularity at the youth, high school and collegiate level. There is also great synergy in our first season in 2028 aligning with the inclusion of flag football at the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”