Today’s Newsletter presented by Sports Management Worldwide

The WCFFB Composite Preaseason Way-Too-Early Top 25 Players lands from the WCFFB Top 500, Biola and North Carolina Wesleyan add spring 2028 programs, Franklin locks in a club-to-varsity path as the first HCAC flag team, Chatham names its head coach, and Mount St. Mary’s steps off the Conference Carolinas flag slate for 2027. That headlines this edition of WCFFB Wire.

WCFFB Composite preseason Top 25 players; as of Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026.

Women’s college flag football’s Spring 2027 season starts in mid-January with competitive play starting this fall. We’re not waiting on every roster to start naming the talent we already have on evidence. We will

Today’s drop is the WCFFB Composite Preaseason Way-Too-Early Top 25 Players from our Top 500 — board-scored athletes only, pulled up across DI–DIII, NAIA, NJCAA, Other, and Club.

1 — Marley Spielberg, Nebraska (DI), WR/C/DB, 86 — A two-time NAIA champion at Ottawa, Spielberg earned First-Team All-KCAC honors as a sophomore after a 110-catch, 19-touchdown receiving season. She is part of the Ottawa-to-Nebraska pipeline under the Sowers sisters as the Huskers build toward Spring 2027. Multi-position production at WR/QB on the Braves’ roster carries into Nebraska’s inaugural Power 4 class.

2 — Maci Joncich, Cal Poly (DI), WR/QB, 85 — Named to Team USA as the youngest senior national-team player in program history in 2024, Joncich also helped Florida win NIRSA titles and earned tournament MVP as a freshman. Cal Poly announced her as an inbound Mustang for 2026–27 alongside fellow national-team teammate Ashlea Klam. She scored the opening touchdown of the 2026 IFAF World Championship final for Team USA.

3 — Emma Kile, Wallace State (NJCAA), QB, 85 — ACCC Player of the Year / Conference MVP after a regular season of 4,529 passing yards and 92 touchdown passes. Kile then guided Wallace State to a perfect 20-0 inaugural ACCC championship, throwing for 315 yards and three scores in the title game. Moody High School state flag pedigree sits behind the college breakout.

4 — Jaida Bayron, Nebraska (DI), WR/DB/QB, 84 — A two-time NAIA champion at Ottawa, Bayron scored in the 2025 NAIA title win over Keiser and produced as a multi-position WR/QB/DB. Nebraska’s roster lists her among the Ottawa transfers joining the Sowers staff for the Huskers’ first season. Homestead, Fla., and Somerset Academy roots travel with her to Lincoln.

5 — Rylen Bourguet, Nebraska (DI), WR/DB/QB, 83 — A two-time NFL Flag national champion and championship MVP, Bourguet was a 2024 NFL Flag Player of the Year finalist and a two-time USA Select Bowl champion. She left an ASU beach-volleyball scholarship path to train with Sun Devil club flag before signing with Nebraska. Husker bio also notes a WFS1 pro-league signing and USA National Team trial invites.

6 — Megan Gerber, Brockport (DIII), QB, 82 — Empire 8 Championship Tournament MVP after leading Brockport to the inaugural conference title. In the 36–31 championship win over Elmira she totaled 387 yards — 260 rushing and 127 passing with four combined touchdowns — and was First-Team Offense. The Golden Eagles’ first Empire 8 crown put a DIII signal-caller at the center of the story.

7 — Payson Shreeve, Wingate (DII), QB/DB/WR, 82 — Conference Carolinas Player of the Year at Ferrum after a regular-season award line of about 5,081 passing yards and 71 touchdowns, plus 12 rushing scores. She has transferred to Wingate for the next cycle after Ferrum’s deep conference run. Multi-position listing (QB/DB/WR) matches how Carolinas coaches voted her as the league’s top overall player.

8 — Jessica Finley, Warner (NAIA), WR/DB, 81 — 2026 NAIA All-America First Team and Sun Conference Player of the Year on Warner’s undefeated 24-0 national champions. She led the NAIA in receiving (167-1,907-42 per Warner’s season wrap) and sealed the title game with a championship interception against Keiser. Two-way production made her the face of the Royals’ historic first team national title in 53 years.

9 — Kathryn Hutchinson, Warner (NAIA), QB, 81 — 2026 NAIA All-America First Team and Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Year while directing Warner’s 24-0 champions. Warner’s season wrap credits her as the NAIA all-time single-season pass-touchdown leader in a campaign that rewrote league passing records. Multiple conference and national player-of-the-week honors tracked the undefeated run.

10 — Lia Cruz, Eastern Michigan (DI), QB/C/WR, 81 — Team USA U17 World Cup champion and tournament MVP (2022), per EMU’s inaugural roster release. After multi-year production at St. Thomas (Florida), including 467 passing yards and nine touchdowns in 2026 plus USA Flag Select Bowl participation, she is inbound to Eastern Michigan’s first DI roster.

11 — Kaley Phillips, Baker (NAIA), WR/DB/QB, 81 — 2026 NAIA All-America First Team as a multi-position WR/DB/QB for Baker. She also earned KCAC First Team Utility honors on a Wildcats team that reached KCAC title weekend. West Palm Beach native closed her Baker chapter as one of the inaugural All-America class’s clearest utility standouts.

12 — Anna Anderson, Nebraska (DI), WR/DB, 80 — First-Team NAIA All-American at Ottawa after completing 491 of 646 passes for 4,982 yards and 73 touchdowns, plus 15 rushing scores, in 2026. She followed the Sowers sisters from the Ottawa dynasty to Nebraska’s inaugural class. KCAC Player of the Year recognition capped a freshman season that redefined NAIA quarterback production.

13 — Cara Vollmer, Marymount (DIII), QB/S, 80 — Marymount’s multi-year quarterback posted 2,217 passing yards and 38 touchdowns in 2026, plus 415 rushing yards and seven scores. She helped the Saints claim Atlantic East titles and the inaugural Jets ECAC / “Betty” championship. Weekly AEC and ECAC offensive honors tracked her as the engine of Marymount’s postseason run.

14 — London Jenkins, Nebraska (DI), WR/DB, 80 — Team USA member (Husker bio: representing since 2025) who helped Florida Gateway win a fourth straight NJCAA national title and earned 2026 championship MVP honors. Prep résumé includes Florida Times-Union / News4JAX Player of the Year with 22 rushing touchdowns and 14 interceptions. She joins Nebraska’s first varsity class from Jacksonville.

15 — Kyamora Dunn, Eastern Michigan (DI), WR/DB, 79 — 2026 NAIA All-America Second Team and All-East Region First Team after a two-way Siena Heights season of 2,209 rushing yards, 2,970 receiving yards, and seven interceptions. She helped the Saints win the 2026 NCFFL tournament (tournament result — not a national championship) before transferring to EMU. Career total-offense production tops 7,000 yards on the published EMU bio.

16 — O’Mariah Gordon, Warner (NAIA), WR/S, 79 — 2026 NAIA All-America First Team and Sun Conference First Team safety / special teams on Warner’s 24-0 national champions. Warner’s season wrap also named her NAIA Invitational MVP after a two-way season that included a nation-leading interception total. A championship touchdown involvement against Keiser capped the perfect run.

17 — Bre Saunders, Eastern Michigan (DI), WR/QB/DB, 79 — Freshman quarterback on Siena Heights’ 2026 NCFFL tournament winners (tournament — not a national championship), throwing for about 5,496 yards and 51 touchdowns with 1,360 rushing yards. EMU’s roster bio also credits nine interceptions, including three pick-sixes, on defense. Arizona MaxPreps-elite high school pedigree precedes the EMU transfer.

18 — Taylor Kindred, Wallace State (NJCAA), WR/CB, 79 — ACCC Championship Tournament MVP after an 18-catch, 121-yard, two-touchdown championship weekend that also included a game-saving interception. All-Conference First Team on both offense and defense for the 20-0 ACCC champions. Multi-game verified production (including pick-six and 195-yard outings) made her Wallace State’s two-way closer.

19 — Ashlea Klam, Cal Poly (DI), S/WR, 79 — Inaugural 2026 NAIA Flag Football Player of the Year and First-Team All-America after leading Keiser to the NAIA championship game. Cal Poly and USA Football confirmed her as a multi-year Team USA member inbound to the Mustangs’ first DI season. Keiser’s POY release cited 12 interceptions and a team-high receiving-touchdown total in her final Seahawk year.

20 — Citrine Lummer, Gallaudet (DIII), WR/LB, 78 — United East Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year in the conference’s inaugural flag season. First-Team Defense honors came with 112 receptions for 1,316 yards and 15 touchdowns, plus 11 interceptions and 77 tackles. Championship-game production sealed a rare POY/ROY double for the Bison.

21 — Evonne Bruestle, Wingate (DII), DEF/WR, 78 — Conference Carolinas Defensive Player of the Year after a regular season of about 69 tackles, 38 tackles for loss, and 34 sacks. She also earned second-team wide receiver recognition with 735 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. A William Woods transfer, she helped Wingate claim the Carolinas tournament title.

22 — Jesenia Velez, Marymount (DIII), WR/DB, 77 — Atlantic East Offensive Player of the Year and MVP of the inaugural Jets ECAC championship, where she scored six total touchdowns in the final. Freshman production spanned rushing, passing, and receiving across Marymount’s AEC title run and Jets ECAC championship. Board résumé lists dual-threat yardage across those title weekends for the Saints.

23 — Ariana Akey, Nebraska (DI), QB, 77 — MaxPreps National Player of the Year (2025–26) after back-to-back undefeated Colorado state titles (19-0 both years). Husker bio lists about 8,980 passing yards and 171 touchdowns, plus Army All-America and 2026 Pro Bowl MVP honors. She headlines Nebraska’s first true freshman QB class for Spring 2027.

24 — Marley Hyde, Cumberland (NAIA), WR/S, 77 — 2026 NAIA All-America First Team in Cumberland’s inaugural varsity season. She ranked third nationally with 1,571 receiving yards and 147 receptions while scoring 23 receiving touchdowns. The White House, Tenn., sophomore became the Phoenix’s first flag All-American.

25 — Ana Vincensini, Warner (NAIA), WR/LB, 77 — 2026 NAIA All-America Second Team and Sun Conference First Team WR/LB on Warner’s 24-0 national champions. Warner’s season wrap placed her among national leaders with 30 receiving touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Veteran two-way production helped close the Royals’ perfect championship season.

Biola adds women’s flag football for spring 2028

Biola University Athletics; Sept. 21, 2026.

Biola University Athletics announced women’s flag football for the 2027–28 academic year in La Mirada, Calif. The Eagles’ program becomes the school’s 18th varsity sport and 10th for women, with the founding class arriving in fall 2027 and the first competitive season in spring 2028.

Associate vice president for student development and senior director of athletics Dr. Bethany Miller framed the add around Biola’s athletic vision and the sport’s growth locally and worldwide. The release cites the NCAA’s Emerging Sports for Women placement in January 2026, California CIF high school growth, and flag football’s Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028 shortly after Biola’s first season.

A national search for the inaugural head coach begins shortly. That coach will recruit the founding class through 2026–27 and prepare for fall 2027 arrival.

North Carolina Wesleyan Battling Bishops, USA South, NCAA Division III

NC Wesleyan adds women’s flag football; Kenny Inge named inaugural coach

North Carolina Wesleyan University; Sept. 22, 2026.

North Carolina Wesleyan University announced NCAA women’s flag football beginning in Spring 2028 as a USA South member. Kenny Inge is the inaugural coach, with recruiting aimed at student-athletes entering in Fall 2027.

Director of Athletics John Thompson called the timing right as the sport grows for women. The university cited 135 North Carolina high schools fielding women’s flag in 2025–26 and a growing college footprint that already includes Meredith, Guilford, Wingate, Barton, Lees-McRae, Catawba, and Lenoir-Rhyne. Meredith is currently the only other USA South member offering the sport.

Franklin College Grizzlies, Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, NCAA Division III

Franklin College adding flag football: club in spring 2027, varsity in 2027–28

Collegiate Flag Football; Sept. 18, 2026.

Franklin College (Ind.) will field a women’s flag football club in spring 2027 and elevate to varsity for 2027–28, per Collegiate Flag Football, which reported the school confirmed the timeline by email. Franklin will be the first Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference program in the sport.

No dated school athletics press release was available for this Wire; details follow Dixon’s Sept. 18 reporting. No head coach has been named in that report.

Chatham Cougars, Presidents' Athletic Conference, NCAA Division III

Chatham names Logan Crozier head women’s flag football coach

Chatham University Athletics; Sept. 14, 2026.

Chatham University Athletics hired Logan Crozier as head women’s flag football coach in Pittsburgh. Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Leonard Trevino cited Crozier’s enthusiasm and background for the program’s next step.

Crozier is a Sports Information Graduate Intern at Chatham, covering game-day ops, live stats, and athletic communications while pursuing an MBA with a Data Analytics focus. A Shadyside, Ohio, native, he earned bachelor’s degrees in sports management, sports communication, and accounting at Muskingum, where he was a three-year starting center and senior captain. He will handle scheduling, player development, and day-to-day operations.

Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers, ECAC

Mount St. Mary’s not competing in Conference Carolinas flag football in spring 2027

Collegiate Flag Football; Sept. 18, 2026.

Mount St. Mary’s (Md.) will not compete as a Conference Carolinas affiliate in women’s flag football for spring 2027, per Collegiate Flag Football. Matthew Dixon reported the Mountaineers are no longer listed on the conference’s 2027 flag championship page and are still expected to play in the ECAC that spring.

Mount St. Mary’s is a full member of the NCAA Division I Metro Conference (formerly the MAAC), which does not sponsor women’s flag. No Mount St. Mary’s athletics release was located for this Wire; affiliation details follow Dixon’s Sept. 18 reporting.

Matthew Dixon / Collegiate Flag Football

Don’t miss Matthew Dixon’s Women’s College Flag Football Newsletter for September 21, 2026. His weekly rundown remains the clearest national pulse on program adds, affiliation moves, and hiring boards, and his schedule listings are a vital resource for coaches building calendars. Subscribe and read the Sept. 21 edition for last week’s club and varsity wave.

WEDNESDAY 9/23/26 WCFFB WIRE

MONDAY 9/21/26 WCFFB WIRE