In A League of Opportunities QB Dresser Winn Could Make Waves in Memphis
In the volatile world of spring football it’s not uncommon for players all across the depth chart to garner an opportunity to showcase their skills. That history is extremely true for the Memphis Showboats since their return to spring football in 2023.
After the USFL decided to rebrand the “franchise” from the Tampa Bay Bandits to the Memphis Showboats, that came at the cost of losing QB Jordan Ta’amu whose never missed a start in his spring football career. Over the 2023 and 2024 the Showboats have seen Six QBs start for them, combining for a 7-13 record and a 24-22 TD:INT ratio.
In 2025 there has been no short of adversity for the Showboats. It started with QB Quinten Dormady being released due to reports of inaccuracy and his role in the UFL players strike. Next was Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt stepping away from the team due to personal reasons leaving Offensive Line coach Jim Turner stepping up in the interim.
Recently, I had the privilege of talking with one of the newest members of the Showboats QB Dresser Winn, who despite all the exterior noise is embracing the chaos.
Winn’s professional journey has been less than linear. Coming from FCS UT-Martin, Winn caught the eye of NFL scouts from his pro-day throwing to players like Jalin Hyatt and his teammate Colton Dowell. After failing to make the Rams 53- Man Roster in 2023, he’d spend time up in the CFL with the Edmonton Elks talking with Taylor Corneilus (former Tampa Bay Vipers QB) about the XFL, before spending the final part of the 2023 back with the LA Rams.
While Winn’s NFL career remained in flux, his talents caught the eye of several UFL teams, in addition to a conversation with Sean McVey and Les Snead about pursuing that option as well. After seeing a friend/teammate Jaylon Moore attend the UFL’s Orlando Showcase and earn a contract, Winn flew to Dallas to attend his own showcase performing pretty well, but still leaving without a contract offer.
After some discussions with some CFL teams, Winn received a “DM” from Showboats GM Jim Monos during a throwing session asking when the QB could come down to Arlington. Winn was on the road that night, and once again he was a professional QB.
While there has been plenty of chaos since he’s joined Memphis, Winn is grateful for the opportunity and excited to apart of a team. “All of the chaotic stuff, that’s kind of a plus in my book” he mentions, not wanting to substitute the experience for his days of just training.
Seeing the success of many non-FBS QBs bodes well for a player like Winn. With over 25% of the league’s QBs coming from “lower-level” schools, players like Case Cookus, Luis Perez, and Ben DiNucci have all been at times some of the more dominant leaders in spring football who all came from FCS/D-II schools.
While Winn isn’t QB1 this week as the Showboats are set to take on the Michigan Panthers at 12pm (ET) on ESPN, the mantra of being “in it to win it” bodes true. Due to the chaotic nature of the league, it is inevitable that Winn will find himself on the field cementing a journey that so few ever embark on.
While it’s been a tumultuous ride for the Memphis Showboats, the arrival of Dresser Winn signals hope for both the franchise and the future of spring football. Winn’s path reminds us that the talent level in professional football can come from anywhere and serves as a great reminder for the reason why the UFL was created in the first place. The Showboats and the UFL’s journey
Despite the challenges and instability for Memphis since their rebrand, bringing in a player like Winn who’s resilience and positive outlook among the chaos is needed to help thrive in such an unpredictable environment.
