Female Kicker Makes History with College Football Scholarship

A senior at Basha High School in Chandler, Ariz., made history this week when she signed a letter of intent to play football at Adams State University, an NCAA Division II school in Alamosa, Colorado.

Becca Longo, a 5-foot-11, 140-pound kicker, is believed to be the first female to earn a football scholarship to an NCAA school at the Division II level or higher.

Getchu a girl who can do both😘 pic.twitter.com/L30Djw1ZzN

— Becca (@BeccaLongo) September 26, 2016

Via the Arizona Republic:

“I contacted them during the season, and after the season I got contacted back by them,” said Longo, who made 30 of 33 point-after tries and connected on a 30-yard field goal her senior season. “The offensive coordinator (Josh Blankenship), he told me he wanted me to come out for a visit.

“I went on my visit and I absolutely fell in love.”

Adams State is led by former Cardinals quarterback Timm Rosenbach, who is the head coach.

“I never heard of it before,” Rosenbach said about Longo being the first female in college football history awarded an NCAA football scholarship out of high school. “I don’t look at it that way. My wife is a former pro athlete. I see her as a football player who earned it.”

.@BeccaLongo coming up next Smashmouth Radio @991TheGame from #GMA to Bham radio! 1st female signee in football D2 or higher pic.twitter.com/t1c8tBNTiT

— Scott Griffin (@griffsz) April 14, 2017

Here’s Becca showing off her kicking skills in the classroom:

The kick is good🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/c3vuJRx5d1

— Becca (@BeccaLongo) April 14, 2017

Longo is a late starter to football — she didn’t start playing competitively until her sophomore year, according to CNN.

Knowing she wanted to kick in college, Longo sent video highlights to schools, including Adams State. She also began following Adams State head football coach Timm Rosenbach on Twitter, which got his attention.

“She’s kind of put herself out there to let everyone know she wants to do this,” Rosenbach said. “If she’s able to compete at a level we think she’s able to compete at, we should afford her that opportunity to do that.”

“I was completely shocked,” Long said when she learned about the offer at a signing ceremony. “Everybody who has it on video said my jaw dropped to the floor.”