By HBCU Editors
Trailblazer. Champion. History-maker. Leilani Armenta just added another major milestone to her already groundbreaking football journey.
The Jackson State University placekicker, who became the first woman to score in an HBCU football game, is now officially going pro. Armenta has signed with the Mississippi Panthers of the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC), marking yet another chapter in her mission to change the game—for women, for athletes, and for HBCUs.
Shattering Barriers at Jackson State
Armenta made headlines in 2023 when she stepped onto the field in a JSU uniform. But it was October 28, 2023, that sealed her name into the HBCU record books. In a matchup against the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Armenta converted three extra points—making her the first woman to score in an HBCU football game.
A former standout soccer player from Ventura, California, she brought elite athleticism and fearlessness to the Tigers’ special teams unit. Her presence wasn’t just symbolic; it was strategic. She helped Jackson State secure key wins and was part of the team that captured the 2024 Celebration Bowl title and an HBCU National Championship.
Armenta’s rise at Jackson State reflected the bold new direction of HBCU athletics—one that welcomes innovation, representation, and courage.
Choosing Legacy Over Limelight
After a successful season, Armenta entered the NCAA transfer portal, a move that sparked offers from several schools looking to add her to their roster. But she made a powerful decision—to stay rooted at Jackson State, finish her degree, and pursue her football career professionally.
That journey now continues with the Mississippi Panthers, a team competing in the Women’s National Football Conference, one of the most competitive platforms for women’s tackle football in the country.
In an announcement shared on social media, Armenta wrote:
“This opportunity allows me to stay at Jackson State, complete my degree, and continue to play the sport I love at a professional level. As someone who has always been and will always be an advocate for women in sports—especially in football—I am honored to represent both my university and the WNFC.”
Eyes on the Playoffs
Armenta isn’t joining the Panthers just for exposure—she’s jumping straight into postseason action. Her team is scheduled to compete in the WNFC Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on June 7, where they’ll face off against the Chicago Winds at Liberty Creek High School in Gallatin, Tennessee.
It’s a high-stakes moment for the team—and for Armenta, who continues to prove that she belongs in any arena.
Representing a Movement
Leilani Armenta’s journey is bigger than one athlete. She’s become a symbol of what’s possible when HBCUs invest in bold talent, when women are given the platform to perform, and when tradition meets transformation.
Her next chapter, as a professional athlete while still representing JSU and HBCUs across the country, sends a powerful message to young girls who never saw themselves on the gridiron: there is space for you here. And in true HBCU fashion, she’s doing it with purpose, pride, and persistence.
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