The Memphis Showboats’ training camp got off to a rough start. The UFL quarterbacks were protesting, the league was threatening dismissal in response and the Showboats announced the surprise release of quarterback Quinten Dormady. Although it made for a rocky few days, things began to settle down later in the week.
The following week, the Showboats got the opportunity to do what they signed up for; play football against a league opponent. For one day at least, the players union/owner grievances were temporarily set aside while the coaches and players came together for scheduled joint practice sessions.
New Team, New Coaches
New head coach Ken Whisenhunt watched his team in action against the St. Louis Battlehawks, one of the UFL’s better teams. With the brand new coaching staff in place, this was a prime opportunity for Whisenhunt and his staff to evaluate players ahead of the mandatory roster cut downs. From now until the end of training camp, the coaches are focusing on how individual players perform together as a group and individually. They’re also looking for players who can step up as a team leader.
Afterward, Whisenhunt was upbeat in his assessment. He pronounced, “It was a good day. We got a chance to scrimmage against the Battlehawks, a good team in this league. So we kind of get an idea of where we match up in a lot of areas. This was against a very good football team and we held up pretty good.”
However, as the coaching staff continue to assess players and pare down the roster, they’re also determining who will be the first-week starters. But with only two weeks of training camp before the season opener it’s a daunting task. Not only are most of these players new to the coaching staff, more than 2/3 of the team are new to the Showboats this season. Only 15 of 67 players currently on the roster returned from a year ago. For most of these players, this is the first time they’re lining up on the same field with each other.
Which Players Will Get The Starting Assignments
One of the biggest decisions will be determining which players will be ready to take the field on March 30th as starters for the Showboats. This is part one of a two-part article focusing on the Showboats offense. Later this week, part two will discuss the most likely starters on defense.
Starting at Quarterback
Of the three quarterbacks, Troy Williams is the only one to have a history and experience with the Showboats. However, he struggled last season, succumbing to 15 sacks, one of the highest marks in the league. Williams also struggled with turnovers. He had as many interceptions (5) as touchdowns.
Although he enjoyed a promising season with the Michigan Panthers, E.J. Perry is new to the team. Following Dormady’s release, former LA Rams quarterback Dresser Winn was just signed to the team. Winn is in his first season with the UFL.
Until his injury, Perry was off to a strong season with the Panthers. It takes time for a quarterback to develop a rhythm and chemistry with his receivers. Williams has an advantage over Perry in his familiarity with the team. But based upon his speed and mobility, Perry looks to have a slight edge in winning the starting assignment.
An Entirely New Ground Attack
With all four running backs new to the UFL, the Showboats ground game looks entirely different this season. Rookie Jacob Kibodi (Louisiana) had brief stints with the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent. He will likely be competing for the starting assignment against fellow UFL rookie, DeWayne McBride.
McBride played college football for the University of Alabama-Birmingham. He was the leading running back in the NCAA in 2022 with 1,713 yards with 19 touchdowns. Declaring for the draft after his junior year, McBride recorded a total of 484 carries for 3,523 yards and 36 touchdowns. Selected in the 7th round of the 2023 draft by the Minnesota Vikings, McBride spent the 2023 season on the Vikings practice squad.
Newly signed to the Showboats roster, running back Jalen Jackson (Villanova) spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars last year. He scored his first NFL touchdown with the team, a one yard rushing touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons.
24 year old Deneric Prince began his college football career at Texas A&M. Transferring to Tulsa, he finished his two years there with 314 rushes for 1,728 yards and 14 touchdowns. He added an additional 17 catches for 162 yards with one touchdown. Of the four, Prince is the only one to have earned a Super Bowl ring as the result of being on the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad when they beat the San Francisco 49ers in 2024.
While the race for the number one back appears to be wide open, McBride has a slightly stronger resume than his teammates and could be the favorite to start in week-one.
The Wide Receiver Room
All-UFL team wide receiver Daewood Davis is back for a second UFL season. Following a breakout year with the Showboats, Davis was signed to the Carolina Panthers. But he was released after a training camp injury. Davis is back this season along with fellow wide receivers Jonathan Adams and Dee Anderson.
However, they face heavy competition from recent NFL additions to the team, Isaiah Washington (Baltimore Ravens) Sam Pinckney (Carolina Panthers) Kyle Sheets (New Orleans Saints / Kansas City Chiefs) Kai Locksley (Miami Dolphins) and Joseph Scates (Jacksonville Jaguars).
Based on his superior performance last year, Davis gets the nod as WR1. The rest of the competition is wide open. Scates brings a local history after playing college ball for the Memphis Tigers. Despite some off-field issues, former Miami Dolphins UDFA and Hamilton Tiger Cats receiver, Locksley also has a chance to prove himself.
Who Takes Over At Tight End
28-year-old Jay Jay Wilson is the only returning member of the tight end unit. Playing behind Sage Surrat last year, Wilson didn’t get many reps. But the 6’2″ 240 lb. Auburn graduate is the only member re-signed, so clearly the coaching staff sees his potential.
Despite a concerning history of injuries early in his career, former New England Patriot, Ryan Izzo brings an impressive resume. Although he was on injured reserve at the time, he was signed to the team when the Patriots won the Super Bowl with Tom Brady in 2018. A veteran of multiple NFL teams, Izzo also brings spring football experience following a brief stint with the Philadelphia Stars.
After spending time in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals and last year, the Carolina Panthers, tight end Chris Pierce Jr. also has spring football experience with the USFL Birmingham’s Stallions.
Finishing out the quartet is 6’6″ 253 lb. Tennessee Volunteers rookie tight end Jacob Warren. A semi-finalist for the Campbell trophy, Warren was described as a standout talent for the Vols both on and off the field. An honor roll student and graduate student, Warren brings the leadership the coaching staff desires.
As the most experienced member of the quartet, Pierce could be given the starting assignment but despite his rookie status, it’s likely that Warren could make an equally strong case for himself as the starter.
The Showboats open their season on Sunday March 30th against the Michigan Panthers at noon EST/ 11:00 am CT. The game will be televised on ESPN.
