In what was quite possibly the strangest bunch of transactions we’ve seen this week, the Memphis Showboats re-signed six players for the 2025 UFL season yesterday.
The #UFL has announced the following transactions pic.twitter.com/DPpRVZlgbS
— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) August 26, 2024
What makes this so weird, is the fact that Memphis is still without a Head Coach and General Manager. John DeFilippo was sent off a couple of weeks ago, while Dennis Polian had left the UFL on his own accord weeks prior to that.
It appears that the league office themselves are looking to lock in some of Memphis’ players back in, unless a HC and/or GM has been hired and the league simply hasn’t said anything yet. According to what we’re told, the UFL hasn’t made any personnel decision yet in regards to the Showboats future.
WR Jonathan Adams
Jonathan Adams, aka “Big Play Jay”, is one of spring football’s finest. He absolutely tore it up in the USFL with the New Orleans Breakers, making acrobatic catches on what seemed like a weekly basis. As a Breaker, he totaled 917 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Jonathan Adams has had his fair share of impressive catches in the #USFL over the past two seasons.
He's got another highlight to add to that reel, as @ItsJayAdams makes a fantastic adjustment on a throw from McLeod Bethel-Thompson for an early lead. pic.twitter.com/xvh0nvIsEt
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) June 25, 2023
In the USFL-XFL merger process, Adams made his way to Memphis with Head Coach John DeFilippo. While it was a quarterback carousel with the Showboats this year, Adams still produced at a high level, posting 441 receiving yards and a touchdown.
JONATHAN ADAMS, ARE YOU SERIOUS??
The former Breakers leading receiver with an unreal catch, something we've become accustomed to while watching him play. Wow. #UFL | @ItsJayAdams pic.twitter.com/PDawF34vQ2
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) April 6, 2024
Jonathan’s combination of size and speed makes him into a threat at every level, and is someone who could be in store for an even bigger year if Memphis can figure out the quarterback situation.
OT James Tunstall
James Tunstall was an offseason addition for Memphis, after a preseason stint with the Miami Dolphins. Tunstall ended up starting in seven of eight games played this year, moving between left and right tackle. He posted a 61.6 Pass Blocking and 45.3 Run Blocking Grades via PFF. As it stands right now, James will return to Memphis in 2025.
DT John Atkins Sr.
John Atkins now enters his fourth season with this Showboats franchise – including the 2022 campaign when they were under the Tampa Bay Bandits branding. That original year, Atkins was a force up front, posting 26 tackles and 0.5 sacks.
JOHN ATKINS RECOVERS THE FUMBLE AND IT'S OUR BALL! @John_Boy77 | #UFL2024 pic.twitter.com/y4qXI7wll2
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 13, 2024
He took his game to another level in 2023, earning All-USFL honors while compiling 29 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Atkins stuck around in Memphis with the new management taking over, totaling 20 tackles this season – starting all 10 games. He’s been one of the most consistent DT’s in the spring scene the last three years, and that shouldn’t change in 2025.
DT Dillon Faamatau
Faamatau joined the Memphis Showboats in 2023, starting in two of four games played with the team. He posted 11 tackles that year, and did enough this past UFL Training Camp to earn a roster spot with Memphis in 2024. He ended up seeing action in seven games this year, not making any starts. Dillon had an impressive 76.9 Defensive Grade via PFF, totaling 10 tackles.
OLB Jordan Ferguson
One of the underrated pieces in Memphis this past season was Jordan Ferguson, who had a tremendous campaign in 2024. Ferguson originally joined the Showboats in 2023 midway through the season – so he didn’t get much of a chance to prove himself. Despite this, Jordan earned himself an NFL contract with the Seahawks following the USFL opportunity.
JORDAN FERGUSON SACK! 😤@JoFerg__ | #GoBoats pic.twitter.com/tUPe0n3JB7
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) April 28, 2024
Ferguson returned to the Showboats in 2024, and made a major impact especially in the trenches. He registered 45 tackles, seven TFL’s, and five sacks this season – starting in nine of ten games played. Jordan had 20 quarterback hurries according to PFF, leading the Showboats in that category. Having him back for another campaign is fantastic news for this defense, which might be missing Carnell Lake at coordinator next year.
LS Turner Bernard
Last, but certainly not least, the Memphis Showboats re-signed long snapper Turner Bernard. Turner began his USFL career in New Orleans, where he was one of the top snappers in the league on a unit that saw some outstanding success in 2023.
When John DeFilippo made the jump from New Orleans to Memphis, he brought all three specialists over to the Showboats, including Turner. Bernard once again had a solid campaign, helping Matt Coghlin serve as one of the most efficient kickers in the UFL. Turner’s consistency has been key to his growth as a professional, and now he’ll look to return for another spring football campaign in 2025.
Final Thoughts
While the Memphis Showboats (assumably) still don’t have a Head Coach or General Manager, they’re beginning the process of bringing pieces back. Who exactly is in charge of that process is unknown. It also opens the door for a new HC/GM to come in and cut the players who re-signed to bring in their own guys, which is a possibility – if no one has been placed in Memphis yet, that is.
Whatever the case might be, one would imagine that the new management would be satisfied with most, if not all, of these re-signings.
What are your thoughts on Jonathan Adams returning to Memphis? Who else should return to the Showboats? Let us know down in the comments below, or join the conversation on Discord!
