Jackson State’s Historic Kicker Takes Next Step in Football Career

Jackson State’s historic kicker Leilani Armenta has signed a pro deal with the Mississippi Panthers. The announcement came from Armenta in late May on social media.

The deal allows Armenta to continue pursuing her degree at Jackson State and play professionally. The Mississippi Panthers compete in the Women’s National Football Conference or the WNFC and are located in Jackson, Mississippi.

Armenta signed with Jackson State in 2023 where she became the first woman on the team in program history. Shortly after, she became the first female to score in an HBCU Division I football game. In October of 2023, she was awarded SWAC Specialist of the week following a perfect 3/3 on PATs. “I’m very thankful for the time I had at Jackson State University and the sports programs,” Armenta said on a Tiger Talk Tv podcast, “I want to say thank you to the coaching staff for taking me on the team and I’m really excited to be seeing what’s next.”

The Tigers are fresh off a national championship title against South Carolina State in a convincing fashion in December. They are the first Jackson State team to win a national title post Celebration Bowl era.

In high school Armenta played both soccer and football at St. Bonaventure in Ventura, California. Armenta helped lead her soccer team to a state championship in 2021 while also winning CIF-SS Division 6 player of the year. 

As for football, she was just as brilliant becoming the first female to score in a St. Bonaventure Varsity Football game. She finished her high school career with 5 county kicking records, 2021 First Team Marmonte League, a perfect 5/5 on field goals, and 2022 Honorable Mention Marmonte League.

The opportunity for Armenta to go pro happened when she decided to enter the transfer portal. She had options from other schools and coaches but decided to sign with the Panthers, who are the WNFC defending champions. Armenta said that she wanted the opportunity to win another ring by signing with the Panthers.

The Women’s National Football Conference is a professional women’s tackle league. The WNFC season is from the end of February to June.