The Memphis Showboats ended their second season Sunday afternoon in front of a hometown audience of 4,573 fans against the playoff-bound Birmingham Stallions. The Showboats lost by a score of 46-9.
Despite the influx of talented new players and the promise of a fresh start for the Showboats, this year ended like last year with an identical 2-8 record. So, what have we learned about the team and where do the Showboats go from here?
A PAINFUL END TO THE SEASON
For every player and coach on that field Sunday, the game was a painful, demoralizing experience. They entered the game fighting to end the season on a winning note. They were playing for pride and hoping to secure a second win against the Stallions. But to look up at the scoreboard in the second half and see an unbridgeable gap was excruciating. Nonetheless, those players had to finish the game, knowing it was a foregone conclusion their season would end with a brutal loss.
Although it was a long afternoon for the fans, it had to be agonizing for the players. Every athlete playing for Memphis is on the team because of their love of football. While their individual stories may differ along with their reason to join the UFL, one thing is certain; they are here to play and win football games.
For an undrafted rookie, playing in the UFL is a dream come true. While the rookie may not have reached the NFL, he realized his dream of playing professional football. When a rookie signs with the UFL he dreams of a winning season and a bright future.
The UFL offers an aging NFL veteran a chance to live the dream just a little longer, enjoying the sport he loves. However, for an experienced player unwilling to give up his dream of making it to the NFL, this league is one more opportunity to shine. If he excels and is very fortunate, the UFL could lead to the NFL and the chance of a lifetime.
TAKEAWAYS FROM THE SHOWBOATS SEASON
Interim head coach Jim Turner said it best in his post-game press conference. “We played a great team and we’re not a great team.” He went on to explain that while the Showboats have very good players, the offense simply couldn’t gain any rhythm on Sunday.
Showboats’ quarterback Dresser Winn was under constant pressure from the Stallions’ defense. He got sacked twice and threw two costly interceptions. Too many three-and-out drives left the defense exhausted and on the field far too long against the UFL’s best offense.
INTERIM HEAD COACH
When Turner took over the team, it was unorganized, chaotic, and dysfunctional. He stepped into a whirlwind and tried to make the best of a situation that felt cursed at times. Initially, believing the post was only temporary, he maintained Ken Whisenhunt’s vision and didn’t make any changes. When it became apparent weeks later the job was his, it was already too late; the playoffs were out of reach.
Turner injected passion into the locker room and the team responded to his straightforward no-nonsense approach. He believed in his players and had their best interests at heart. However, that didn’t always translate to the best decisions. Knowing the Showboats wouldn’t be in the post-season, Turner wanted to allow each of his players an opportunity to advance their careers. Putting them in the game meant they could boost their stats and have the film to show for it.
Unfortunately, that well-intentioned strategy came with a cost. Players who could have made the difference between winning and losing games weren’t on the field. Rotating games between three quarterbacks meant no one person built a sustainable rhythm. The result was a complete lack of consistency for the offense.
Leading into Week 8, Winn was the 6th best in the UFL despite playing in fewer games. He had the best stats of the three Memphis quarterbacks with a 61.9% completion rate for 638 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He had another 38 yards on 10 carries with one touchdown.
But when Turner elected to give Troy Williams and E.J. Perry a chance to close out the season, the lack of consistent playing time ended up hurting all three quarterbacks. The entire offense suffered as a result.
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JARREN HORTON
Not including Week 10’s performance against the Stallions where the defense gave up 46 points, DC Jarren Horton’s defense showed a big improvement over last year. Early on, the majority of games were lost by a single score. In the two games the team won in overtime, the defense played a big role.
The team initially struggled to record sacks and turnovers, but by the end of the season, those numbers were starting to show improvement. In the earlier victory against Birmingham, Eli Walker recorded the Showboats’ first interception of the season. Kyrie Woods had a huge interception off St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback Max Duggan that led to a 27-yard Matthew Coghlin field goal.
Izayah Green-May, Boogie Roberts, and DeVere Levelston led the team in sacks while Jaylon Allen distinguished himself as Showboats’ nominee for the 2025 UFL Sportsman of the Year Award.
Steele Chambers and Walker led the team in tackles. Coming on mid-season, Andrew Dowell proved to be a huge impact player. He finished third in team tackles and recorded one sack, an interception, a forced fumble, and a PBR.
INDIVIDUAL STANDOUT PLAYERS
Just because none of the Showboats made the All-UFL Team doesn’t mean this team lacked standout players. There is a lot of talent on this team in addition to the defense, and these individuals deserve to be recognized. In one of the most exciting and explosive plays of the season, receiver and return specialist Isiah Hennie caught a missed 63-yard field goal by Stallions kicker, Harrison Mevis, and returned it 108 yards for the touchdown.
Early in the season wide receiver Jonathan Adams led the league in receptions and receiving yardage. But in recent weeks, Adams was missing in action. However, despite his lack of production these last few weeks, he’s a talented receiver capable of more than what he recorded.
WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR MEMPHIS?
After two disappointing 2-8 seasons, do the Showboats have a future in Memphis? One factor beyond their control is the poor attendance at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Memphis consistently has the lowest attendance figures in the league. While winning teams will inevitably draw bigger crowds, it had to be disappointing for the players to come out for every home game and see an empty stadium. Keep in mind, that these athletes are playing their hearts out, risking serious injury to entertain fans. It’s rough when the fans don’t even care enough to show up.
Whether the team remains in Memphis might come down to Fed-Ex owner Fred Smith. Does he want the team to remain in Memphis? How much is he willing to pay to keep the team in Tennessee?
There’s no question that interim head coach Turner tried to make the best of a bad situation. Should he get an opportunity to come back for a full season next year? If so, what would he do differently if given the chance? More importantly, does he have the support and confidence of the players?
These questions and more will be answered over the coming months. But for the sake of the players and their fans, let’s hope this team has another chance to prove themselves in the UFL.
2 Comments
by Frank Dux
Don’t walk away from Memphis, run!
by Gary Winter
Oakland! These guys deserve a place that will support their efforts.