Memphis Showboats Re-Sign Another Nine Players In Free Agency | Troy Williams
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Breaking Down The Memphis Showboats 2025 UFL Roster

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The Memphis Showboats are entering a new era of football in the UFL, but it’s come with some hiccups along the way. Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt stepped down just days before the season opener, with Jim Turner taking over for the time being.

It puts Memphis in a rough spot to begin the year, which is unfortunate. This team has put together a much stronger roster across the board compared to what they had in 2024, and were poised to see more success in 2025. With the coaching uncertainty, it now puts their “comeback season” in jeopardy.

That being said, Memphis has quite a bit of talent to be excited about. Let’s take a look at who’s all on this roster, and what we can expect from the Showboats this season.

Quarterbacks

Troy Williams
E.J. Perry
Dresser Winn

The Memphis Showboats head into the year with almost an entirely new quarterback room. The only returnee is Troy Williams, who was primarily QB2 a season ago. Williams is no stranger to spring football, having been with the Pittsburgh Maulers in 2023. He led the team to the Championship game that year, fueled by his dual threat abilities that pushed Pittsburgh over the hump down the stretch when they needed it.

Memphis told a bit of a different story this past season. Troy was inconsistent when he played, struggling to protect the football. His decision making was subpar, with five interceptions to his name (186 snaps). Troy’s accuracy was an issue, and something that eventually got him benched for Josh Love to close the season. Williams has shown growth in camp, though, and is expected to see plenty of action, even if he isn’t the week one starter.

E.J. Perry, the former Michigan Panther, made his way to Memphis this offseason. The Panthers let him make the move to the Showboats, with their QB room already loaded. Perry joins the fold as someone who’s got plenty of experience, and was Michigan’s starter in 2024 before a hamstring injury cut his season short. E.J. is no doubt talented, but will have to polish his game up a bit if he wants to start – and win games – for this Showboats team. Memphis needs to see similar production from E.J. similar to what he put on tape in week three of the ’24 season, against Houston.

Finally, Dresser Winn, the former Los Angeles Ram, closes out this QB room in Memphis. He’s heading into the season as QB3, but is a younger prospect who, with some development, could see the field at some point. Dresser was a standout at Tennessee-Martin during his final couple of years, and has the arm talent needed to make it at the professional level.

Running Backs

Jacob Kibodi
Deneric Prince
Jalen Jackson

Memphis has completely revamped their running back room, as well. Darius Victor and Titus Swen are gone; with Jacob Kibodi, Deneric Prince, and Jalen Jackson taking the reins.

Jacob Kibodi is a prospect to get excited about in Memphis. He was just recently active for the Cleveland Browns’ closing game this past NFL season. That NFL experience, paired up with the success he had at Louisiana, makes him into someone who should see quite a few reps on game day for the Showboats.

Next up, Deneric Prince also joins the fold. He is another younger running back who had a tremendous career at Tulsa, prior to spending some time in the NFL with the Chiefs and Dolphins. Expect him to be a name that is called upon plenty throughout the year.

Jalen Jackson, the former Villanova product, is someone you shouldn’t sleep on, either. He rushed for over 2,500 yards and 26 touchdowns during his college career – and was with the Jaguars this past preseason. Between Jackson, Kibodi, and Prince, the Showboats have three young and capable ball carriers heading into the UFL season.

Wide Receivers

Jonathan Adams
Dee Anderson
Kai Locksley
Isaiah Washington
Kwamie Lassiter II
Eli Stove
Isiah Hennie

At wide receiver, the Memphis Showboats have some questions. They’ve brought back star wideout Jonathan Adams, which is excellent news for the franchise. He was one of the consistent forces a year ago, and is someone who should be a major piece to their offensive schemes. Adams is a big, physical receiver – who can also run routes as swiftly as anyone.

Also returning is Dee Anderson, the former Alabama A&M standout who has been waiting for an opportunity to shine in spring ball. He’s been with the Bandits, Breakers, and Showboats over the last three seasons – but hasn’t started much across that span. He made the most of his snaps a year ago, though, and hopefully will get more reps in 2025.

Kai Locksley and Isaiah Washington are a couple of new additions, who are expected to make an impact at wideout. Locksley is a quarterback-turned-WR who impressed in camp, and is someone that Memphis is high on heading into the season. Washington, as well, is a physical receiver who can go up and make those contested catches in traffic.

At slot, the Showboats have options. Kwamie Lassiter II is an exciting pickup. The Kansas product spent some time in the NFL with the Bengals, and now looks to get his career back on track in the UFL. Isiah Hennie and Eli Stove are a couple of spring veterans, who both have blazing speed and can be utilized on special teams. Hennie, in particular, should make an impact. He earned All-USFL honors in 2023 as a punt returner, and was also one of the leading receivers in the league that year with Pittsburgh.

The team is currently missing All-UFL Daewood Davis – who is expected to return at some point during the year. Daewood suffered an injury in camp with the Carolina Panthers, and hasn’t been medically cleared to play again quite yet.

Tight Ends

Jay Jay Wilson
Chris Pierce Jr.
Ryan Izzo

Memphis has a rather intriguing room at tight end. They brought back Jay Jay Wilson, who has been one of the key faces offensively and on special teams. Wilson is primarily a blocking tight end, who fit perfectly into the scheme that Todd Haley ran back in ‘23. Last year, his production wasn’t too high on the receiving end playing behind Sage Surratt. That could change this season, especially given his veteran status on the team.

New signing Chris Pierce Jr. is someone who should make a legitimate impact. He’s spent time in the NFL, and also has experience at both TE/WR. Expect him to get the majority of reps as a receiving tight end. On top of that, Ryan Izzo, the former Philadelphia Star, makes his way to Memphis and sticks on the roster. Izzo is another vet who will provide stability to Turner’s offense.

Offensive Line

James Tunstall
Jared Thomas
Alec Lindstrom
J.D. DiRenzo
Noah Henderson
Nash Jensen
O’Shea Dugas
Nate Gilliam

There’s no question about it: Memphis needed to make changes to their offensive line unit. After allowing a league-worst 38 sacks in 2024, the Showboats have brought in quite a few fresh faces to steady the ship heading into 2025.

First up, though, Memphis did bring back a few familiar pieces. James Tunstall, Jared Thomas, and Alec Lindstrom have all made the 50 man roster. Lindstrom impressed at center during the final two games, taking over for Jared Thomas who moved to guard. Tunstall was one of the stronger performers as well, starting in eight games at tackle and allowing just one sack on the year.

Memphis also added a couple of pieces from other UFL teams. O’Shea Dugas, who’s won three Championships with the Stallions, makes his way to the Showboats. He’s a veteran who’s got plenty of winning experience, and should be a contributor. Also, former Renegades OT Noah Henderson is back in action – after originally being let go by Arlington. Noah made five starts last year, but was shifted to being a rotational piece down the stretch of the season.

J.D. DiRenzo, Nash Jensen, and Nate Gilliam round out the offensive line group. All three have NFL experience – and interestingly enough, Jensen and DiRenzo both spent time with the Caroline Panthers at around the same time (2023-2024). Gilliam has a few years of NFL practice squad/active roster appearances under his belt, and should be in the starting rotation conversation heading into week one.

Defensive Line

John Atkins Sr.
Josiah Bronson
P.J. Hall
Antwuan Jackson
Boogie Roberts
Nasir Player
Jaylon Allen
DaMarcus Mitchell
Izayah Green-May

With a new defensive coordinator in Jarren Horton, this Showboats defense features quite a few new pieces across the board. In the trenches, we do see some familiar faces. John Atkins Sr. is back, formerly an All-USFL selection with Memphis in 2023. Last year, Atkins’ production dropped off some, but the veteran has impressed in camp, and is ready to run it back for another season.

Josiah Bronson and P.J. Hall are two pieces from a year ago who also make their way back. Bronson received an NFL opportunity with the Patriots this past summer, but now returns to Memphis. Antwuan Jackson – the former Sea Dragon and Battlehawk – was also acquired by the Showboats heading into camp, and he’s another one that lands on the roster.

The biggest pickup for the DT’s is Boogie Roberts, who makes his return to the UFL scene. Roberts was a standout with the Pittsburgh Maulers in 2023, as one of the league’s leaders across the board defensively. He was cut by the Defenders in camp last year, but now reunites with Horton in Memphis. Expect Atkins and Roberts to produce as two vets on that D-Line.

At EDGE, the Showboats have pieced together an interesting group. Nasir Player and Izayah Green-May – two former Maulers – make their way to Memphis. Player was another Mauler who had an impressive campaign in 2023, but was let go by Michigan in camp last year. Green-May is a rather unproven player at the pro level – having only played in a few games with Pittsburgh in ‘23.

Jaylon Allen is an exciting young addition, and a Memphis native. He played for the Tigers, so he’s no stranger to football at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Allen is someone that has been highlighted by the Showboats coaching staff so far, and we’re expecting him to contribute. Also, DaMarcus Mitchell – the former Stallion – is someone to keep an eye on. Mitchell wasn’t fully unleashed with Birmingham last year (7 tackles, 2 sacks), but has the potential to be an outstanding edge rusher if given the proper reps.

Linebackers

Zeke Vandenburgh
Yvandy Rigby
Steele Chambers
Obi Melifonwu

At linebacker, it’s an entirely new room in Memphis. Given the struggles at the position a year ago, it’s a move that makes sense. Zeke Vandenburgh highlights this room as someone with legitimate NFL potential. He spent a couple of years with the Dolphins, following an impressive career at Illinois.

Yvandy Rigby and Steele Chambers are two young linebackers who bring a ton of upside to this defense. Rigby was actually a UFL college draft pick by Memphis this past summer. Both Rigby and Chambers had short NFL stints this past summer, but now land with the Showboats.

Finally, Obi Melifonwu is a really fascinating story. He has been a defensive back for the majority of his football career, and even was a DB for the Tampa Bay Bandits in 2022. He hasn’t played much since then, and has now switched to linebacker for the Showboats. Coach Horton spoke highly of his performance in camp at the new position, and now Obi ends up sticking with Memphis at LB.

Secondary

Kyree Woods
Nehemiah Shelton
Mark Gilbert
Lance Boykin
Eric Garror
Ja’Quan Sheppard
Tenny Adewusi
Eli Walker
Keaton Ellis
Amir Riep

The only two returnees from 2024 in Memphis at DB is Kyree Woods, and Nehemiah Shelton. Woods made the switch from safety to CB, and saw a dropoff in production. Kyree was one of the top DB’s in the USFL in ‘23, but struggled early on in the UFL season, allowing four touchdowns in the first four games. That said, his play improved as the year went on. Nehemiah Shelton has been with the Showboats for two years, but has hardly been utilized. Despite this, he’s spent time in the NFL with the Jets following both spring seasons, and could end up being a bigger piece to the puzzle in 2025 with the development he’s shown.

Mark Gilbert, the USFL’s top cornerback in 2023, reunites with Horton as well. Gilbert led the USFL in interceptions and PBU’s in ‘23, but did not necessarily live up to expectations with the Stallions last year. After being a starting CB the first few games, Mark found himself on the bench for the majority of the rest of the season. Hopefully, Horton can help Gilbert get back to his elite 2023 form.

Eric Garror and Lance Boykin are two new additions to be excited about. Boykin is a physical, tall DB who’s got size – something you can’t teach in football. Boykin was phenomenal in camp, flying around and making plays every day. On top of that, Eric Garror is a small slot CB, who’s got legitimate NFL experience having played with the Titans in 2023. Eric’s also an outstanding returner, who could be utilized on special teams. Ja’Quan Sheppard, one of Memphis’ draft picks, also makes his way to the Showboats after spending some time with the Raiders in the summer.

At safety, the Showboats have an intriguing unit. Tenny Adewusi, a veteran, makes his return after spending the 2024 season with the Renegades. Adewusi has been on a few teams in the spring scene, with 103 tackles and three interceptions to his name. With all of his experience, expect Adewusi to be a name called upon often in Memphis.

Another player who missed the 2024 season is Eli Walker. He was a standout with the Pittsburgh Maulers in 2023, but was cut by the Stallions in Training Camp of last year. Walker had an excellent ‘23 campaign, with 37 tackles, an interception, and a sack that year.

Rounding out the secondary are safeties Keaton Ellis and Amir Riep. Amir, formerly an Ohio State product, had to switch to Lincoln University for his final couple of years. He’s unproven at the pro level, but is someone who’s made noise in camp. Ellis, on the other hand, has been in the NFL and CFL before making his way to the Showboats.

Special Teams

K Matt Coghlin
P Matt Mengel
LS Turner Bernard

One of the best in the business is back: Matt Coghlin will be kicking for the Showboats once again in 2025. Coghlin burst onto the spring scene in 2023 with the Breakers, and made the move to Memphis with then-HC John DeFilippo. Matt is an extremely consistent specialist, and has one of the strongest legs in the league. Having him back in action is excellent news for Showboats fans.

With the news of punter Matt White retiring, the Showboats needed a replacement. Matt Mengel now makes his way back to spring ball, the former Mauler who was outstanding in 2023. Matt’s been around the block in this scene – with multiple stints in the TSL, CFL, USFL, and now UFL. Mengel booted an 83 yard punt in week nine of the ‘23 season.

Finally, trusty long snapper Turner Bernard returns to Memphis, with Coghlin. Having the synergy and connection between your long snapper and kicker is important, which is something that the Showboats highlighted when putting this roster back together.

Final Thoughts

At every position group, the Memphis Showboats have made serious changes compared to 2024. The running backs, offensive line, and secondary are a couple of groups that are probably going to be the most improved. A lack of talent certainly isn’t going to be an issue this season – but, we’ll see if they can actually execute consistently this year.

What are your thoughts on this Memphis Showboats roster? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!

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