Last year, the Detroit Lions acquired field goal kicker Jake Bates from the UFL. He quickly became one of the NFL’s top special teams players. Bates’ success is a reminder that the UFL is filled with talented players who can reach their full potential under the dedicated coaching and opportunity the UFL affords them.
This year, Detroit is returning the favor with UFL teams signing former Lions players. As training camp opens this week, the Memphis Showboats have four former Lions on their roster.
Despite last year’s frustrating record, one of the Showboats’ bright spots were a promising trio of wide receivers Daewood Davis, Jonathon Adams, and Vinny Papale. Along with Davis, Adams is returning to Memphis for a second season. He is one of four Showboats’ players with previous ties to the Detroit Lions.
Wide Receiver Jonathan Adams
A native of Jonesboro, Arkansas, Adams was a talented dual-sport athlete playing basketball and football in college. In his senior year at Arkansas State University, Adams was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year with more than 1,100 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
Although he was invited to the 2021 NFL combine, the 6’2” 220 lb. Adams went undrafted. However, following a strong showing at the Lions’ spring minicamp, Adams was signed to the team as an undrafted free agent in May. But after appearing in only one preseason game, he was cut from the roster in August. On September 10, 2021, the NFL suspended Adams for six games. No public explanation was given for his suspension.
With his NFL dreams taking a direct hit, Adams turned his attention to spring football. Drafted in 2022 by the USFL New Orleans Breakers, Adams quickly became one of the top receivers in the league with 31 receptions for 406 yards with five touchdowns. When the USFL folded in 2023 to make way for the UFL merger, Adams became part of the dispersal draft and followed his former coach John DiFilippo to Memphis.
Continuing to build on the success he found with the Breakers, Adams had a solid year for the Showboats despite their struggles. He finished the 10-game season with 33 receptions for 443 yards and one touchdown. He was also utilized for kick returns on the Showboats special teams unit with seven returns for 94 yards.
How will the 26-year-old Adams do in his second season in Memphis? Paired with new incoming UFL quarterbacks, E.J. Perry and Quinten Dormady, Adams has a chance to make a big impact this season. It’s also worth noting that Adams’ lone touchdown last season was a reception from returning Showboats quarterback Troy Williams.
Linebacker Steele Chambers
24-year-old Steele Chambers has the distinction of playing both offense and defense for the Ohio State Buckeyes. A native of Roswell, GA. Chambers began his college career as a running back but found he was more successful as a linebacker. Appearing in 26 games for the Buckeyes, Chambers had a total of 160 tackles (8 TFLs), one sack, three interceptions, and three pass defenses.
Projected to be a mid-round draft pick at the NFL Combine, Chambers’ strong 6’0” 223 lb. physique helped rank him as a high-level starter. However, when he wasn’t drafted, the Lions signed him as an UDFA in April of last year.
After he was waived by Detroit in August, Chambers was immediately signed by the New England Patriots but subsequently released before the start of the 2024 season. Now, poised to make his debut in the UFL, Chambers has an opportunity to make an impact as a rookie for the Showboats defense.
Cornerback Mark Gilbert
No stranger to the UFL, Mark Gilbert was a cornerback with the Birmingham Stallions last year. He comes from an impressive football family lineage that includes his uncle Sean Gilbert, a former Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl and cousin Darrelle Revis, a former AFC Defensive Player of the Year.
A fifth-year senior from Duke, Gilbert had a record-breaking season in his sophomore year with 6 interceptions and 15 or more passes defended in a single season. Unfortunately, his outstanding collegiate career was derailed by back-to-back injuries during his junior and senior years.
An undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad, Gilbert was poached by the Detroit Lions in October 2021 and signed to their active roster. Appearing in eight games, he had three tackles and a forced fumble. Waived by the Lions the following August, Gilbert was re-signed by the Steelers for a second stint with their practice squad.
The following March, Gilbert pursued an opportunity with the USFL Pittsburgh Maulers. Following a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins in 2023, Gilbert signed with the UFL Birmingham Stallions. He played in seven games where he had 25 tackles (20 solo), one interception, and one fumble recovery. Now, making his debut with the Showboats this season, Gilbert will have an opportunity to showcase his talents as a member of Jarren Horton’s defense.
Defensive Tackle John Atkins
Like his teammate Adams, John Atkins is returning to the Showboats for a second season. Last season, Atkins contributed 29 tackles and 2.5 sacks. A hulking presence at 6’3″ 320 lbs., the former Georgia Bulldog was a standout in college with 81 tackles, (3.5 TFL), five pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.
Initially signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent, the Detroit Lions signed him in September, 2018 following his release. Signed to the Lions’ active roster, Atkins played in 12 games and started six of them. His 20 tackles that season were enough to warrant the Lions resigning him to the active roster. However, Atkins opted not to play that year due to the threat of Covid-19. He was subsequently waived the following year by Detroit.
Atkins pursued opportunities with the Atlanta Falcons and the USFL Tampa Bay Bandits before signing with the Memphis Showboats. Now, back for his second season in Memphis, Atkins is poised to make an impact with the Showboats’ defense.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt and his staff are looking forward to introducing a new and improved Showboats team this season. After the disappointment of last year, the fans are eager to see a reinvigorated team take the field. Hopefully, these former Detroit Lions players play a big role in leading the charge for a winning season in Memphis.
