The Memphis Showboats have plenty to look forward to in their second season. On September 23, 2024, the UFL introduced Jim Monos as the Showboats’ new GM and former Super Bowl-winning Ken Whisenhunt as the new head coach. Planning a more fan-friendly experience at Simmons Liberty Bank Stadium, the team is hoping to establish a supportive fan base. With his new coaching staff in place, Whisenhunt is committed to making the Showboats a competitive force this season, and Monos is aggressively signing new players.
Quinten Dormady–Quarterback
Improving the quarterback room was his first order of business. Whisenhunt wasted no time beefing up his offense with two experienced UFL quarterbacks. In October 2024, Whisenhunt negotiated a trade with the San Antonio Brahmas to acquire 28-year-old quarterback Quinten Dormady in exchange for DL Jordan Ferguson.
As a college freshman, Dormady played football for the Tennessee Volunteers. Hopefully, his return to the state feels like a homecoming.
Dormady began his spring football career with the XFL Orlando Guardians where he led the team to an upset 37-36 victory against Jordan Ta’amu and the DC Defenders. Launching a 44-yard touchdown pass to Cody Latimer to seal the win, Dormady passed for a total of 328 yards with two more passing touchdowns. Rushing for 22 yards on eight carries, he scored three more touchdowns. That exceptional performance prompted the Brahmas to select Dormady with the first pick of the 2024 dispersal draft.
Dormady took over as the starting quarterback for the Brahmas when Chase Garbers sustained a broken wrist early in the season. Although Garbers returned in time for the Championship title game against the Birmingham Stallions, it was Dormady’s strong relief effort that took the team to the playoffs. He finished the regular season with 1,205 yards, six touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Now, Dormady has a chance to lead a resurgent Showboats team this season. But first, he needs to win the starting assignment in training camp over another Showboats’ newcomer.
E.J. Perry–Quarterback
When former Michigan Panthers quarterback E.J. Perry was released last month, Whisenhunt wasted no time signing the 27-year-old spring talent. A graduate of Brown University star, the 6’2″ 210 lb. Perry won the Bushnell Cup in 2021 as the top Ivy League offensive player. Perry’s impressive college stats of 3,033 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, 402 rushing yards with seven rushing touchdowns, and the highest overall athletic score in the NFL Combine should have led to a 2022 draft selection.
However, when Perry went undrafted he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an UDFA. But despite several spins of the NFL carousel with the Jaguars and the Houston Texans, Perry never made it off their practice squads. In between NFL opportunities, Perry signed with the USFL Michigan Panthers where an impressive season led to a playoff berth for Michigan. Following the merger, Perry committed to the Panthers In January 2024 for the inaugural UFL season.
Perry’s best game was in week 3 against the Houston Roughnecks. He passed 16/19 for 208 yards including a 66-yard touchdown bomb to Marcus Simms. Later in the game, Perry added another 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Sadly, one week later, Perry’s season was cut short when he was sidelined with a serious hamstring injury. But Perry’s mobility is a definite advantage for the Showboats’ offense. Before his injury, he totaled 152 rushing yards with four scores. Despite appearing in only four games, he tied for 6th in the league for rushing touchdowns.
J.D. DiRenzo -Offensive Lineman
One of the most recent Memphis acquisitions is 6’6″ and 315 lb. offensive guard J.D. DiRenzo. The former 2022 Rutgers University team MVP was a UDFA with the NFL Carolina Panthers. Appearing in three regular season games, DiRenzo made his NFL debut in week 15 in a game against the Atlanta Falcons. The Panthers won the game 9–7 with DiRenzo playing a total of seven total snaps. But it was enough for the team to sign DiRenzo to the active roster on January 2, 2024. He was subsequently released from the Panthers in August of 2024 with an injury designation. Now healthy, it will be interesting to see how this former collegiate MVP fits in with Whisenhunt’s new offensive scheme.
DeWayne McBride-Running Back
Showboats fans should feel excited about Whisenhunt signing former UAB and Minnesota Vikings running back DeWayne McBride. Drafted by the Vikings in the 7th round of the 2023 draft, McBride was considered one of the top running backs in the country in 2022 recording 1,713 rushing yards with 19 touchdowns on 233 carries. McBride was second in the FBS for rushing yards and tied for third for touchdowns. He ranked 6th in the NFL Combine for Production, 12th for his Athleticism, and 9th overall for the total score.
Despite his impressive resume, McBride did not make the 53-man roster with coach Kevin O’Connell opting to keep only Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler in his backfield.
McBride remained on the Vikings practice squad for all of the 2024 season and was signed to a reserve/future contract in January. Following his recent release, McBride was picked up by Memphis. As a talented, aggressive back, he should become a major impact player for the Showboats.
Chris Pierce -Tight End
Another exciting new Showboats teammate is former Birmingham Stallions tight end Chris Pierce. A 2022 graduate of Vanderbilt, the 6’4″ 231 lb. Pierce played wide receiver in college. As a fifth-year senior, Pierce appeared in 55 games and recorded 109 receptions for 1,398 yards with nine touchdowns. Voted as the offensive MVP in his senior year, Pierce signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent.
Unfortunately, a preseason injury led to his release in Arizona. However, later that season, he was re-signed to their practice squad. Pierce’s size and impressive wingspan make him an attractive acquisition for the Showboats at tight end. Going from the league’s number-one offense where he competed in a crowded room for touches, Pierce will be in a situation where he could easily become an impact player.
Whisenhunt has assembled a carefully chosen group of new players to complement the team’s returning members. It’s shaping up to be an exciting pre-season in Memphis.
