Ashlea Klam lit up the stage at the NFL Draft on Saturday, and fans could not get enough.
The 20-year-old flag football sensation from Austin, Texas, brought energy and pride as she announced the Houston Texans’ sixth-round pick, clearly conveying that flag football’s future is in strong hands.
Klam, a sophomore wide receiver at Keiser University, has built an impressive resume in just a few short years. She made history in 2023 when she became the youngest player to suit up for the U.S. Women’s National Flag Football Team at just 19. Fresh off helping the United States win the 2024 IFAF Women’s Flag Football World Championship, Klam’s star power only continues to grow.
Rising Star In Football And Beyond
Before her NFL Draft moment, Klam already captured the football world’s attention. As a sophomore at Keiser, she racked up 51 receptions for 848 yards and 15 touchdowns.
On defense, she pulled 18 flags, showing off her versatility on both sides of the ball. Her efforts did not go unnoticed. In November, the Houston Texans named her a Global Flag Football Ambassador alongside NFL standout Will Anderson Jr.
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“Will Anderson Jr. and member of the U.S. Women’s National Flag Football Team Ashlea Klam are all in for flag football! We are excited to announce them as our Global Flag Ambassadors, helping amplify and grow the game” the Texans’ Youth Football Instagram page shared during her announcement.
On Saturday, Klam took her ambassador role to another level. Representing the Texans on the NFL Draft stage, she announced the team’s second pick of the sixth round, No. 197 overall. Her energy was contagious, and the Texans quickly celebrated her moment with a social media post: “Texans NFL Global Flag Ambassador Ashlea Klam announces pick 197! Let’s go H-Town.”
The Texans selected University of Florida quarterback Graham Mertz with that pick, making him the 10th quarterback drafted this year. Meanwhile, Klam prepares to enter her third season with the U.S. Women’s National Team, continuing a journey she celebrated earlier in March with a simple but powerful message: “Year 3🇺🇸 Excited for the new opportunities ahead. Let’s get to work #GOldTime.”
Klam’s presence at the draft showed just how far women’s flag football has come. It also made one thing clear. Ashlea Klam is not just growing the game. She is inspiring a new generation to dream even bigger.
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