Dowling Catholic's Olivia Meredith Signs to Play Flag Football at Nebraska

“It’s unreal,” Meredith said.

The Dowling Catholic senior held her official signing day ceremony on Thursday, November 12, marking her commitment to play flag football for the University of Nebraska, Yahoo Sports reported.

For Meredith, the move to Lincoln represents more than just a collegiate opportunity; it is the culmination of a journey that saw her pivot away from her first passion due to a lack of clear pathways.

After playing one season of high school tackle football, she moved toward basketball to ensure she had a viable sport to play after graduation. However, high school athletics changed when her school introduced a flag football program.

“I had stopped (playing football) because I thought it wouldn’t go anywhere, but now (flag football) is coming back, and it felt like the perfect opportunity for me to pursue that again,” Meredith told the Des Moines Register in April 2026.

San diego cameron meredith of the university of nebraska cornhuskers looks on during the

Her recruitment coincides with an expansion in collegiate athletics. When she announced her commitment on October 12, Nebraska stood out as the only Power 4 institution to offer flag football as a varsity sport. While 17 Division I schools currently field varsity flag football teams, the sport's inclusion in the Power 4 tier shows growing institutional investment in the discipline.

The signing ceremony at Dowling Catholic High School was attended by family, friends, coaches, and trainers, but the presence of the next generation was perhaps the most striking detail. Several fourth- and fifth-grade girls, whom Meredith had coached in local flag football programs, sat in the front row to witness the event.

Meredith said that seeing these young athletes provided a sense of purpose beyond her own playing career. She expressed a desire to serve as a blueprint for those following in her footsteps.

Leander dendoncker influence on young players legacy in football impact

“You can see their love for the game, and now they have a goal they can reach and it’s possible for them in the future to play at the college level,” Meredith said.

“Coaching them and showing them my love for the sport, it’s amazing. I’ve always wanted to be a good leader, and right now, I can be a good leader for all the people who look up to me.”

The transition from a sport with limited collegiate prospects to a varsity program at a major university illustrates the rapid professionalization and academic recognition of flag football. For Meredith, the choice was also driven by a desire to remain near her roots in Iowa.

“I’m just so excited to be one of the first people to lead that pathway for the younger girls to look up to. I just can’t wait to go out there and do what I love,” Meredith said.

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