By HBCU Editors
(Source: HBCU Buzz)
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: