Top Memphis Showboats Moves in Offseason
Image via X @USFLShowboats
There isn’t a team that went through as many organizational changes during the offseason as the Memphis Showboats, with some key additions to the roster for 2025.
During the offseason, Ken Whisenhunt was named the new head coach, and Jim Monos took over as the general manager. The two worked on bringing in new talent to help a team that went 2-8 a season ago.
Some essential moves were re-signing their best players from last season. There are moves made to bring in new talent, including a remodeled quarterback room. Here’s a look at the top signings of the offseason for the Showboats.
Wr Daewood Davis
A season ago, one of the UFL’s best wide receivers is back this season, as Davis was one of the few bright spots on the Showboats’ roster. Davis finished in the top seven in receptions (41), yards (446), and touchdowns (five). The UFL named him to their All-UFL team as the only player from the Showboats to make the team.
Memphis will look to Davis to be the number one guy again. The team made other additions to the wide receiver team, including Kai Locksley and Kwamie Lassiter II. Those guys could be impact players, but Davis is a difference-maker who can make all the catches and create big offensive plays.
CB Cameron Dantzler
Whisenhunt brings a veteran presence to a defense that was ranked dead last against the pass, allowing 247 yards per game, nearly 40 yards more than the next team. Former NFL cornerback Cameron Dantzler joins the group after 37 games played with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints. Dantzler racked up 149 tackles, six tackles for loss, 17 pass deflections, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three interceptions.
Nehemiah Shelton returns after his short NFL stint in the preseason with the New York Jets, and the Showboats also added former Pittsburgh Maulers and Birmingham Stallions cornerback Mark Gilbert to compete for the starting job. Dantzler should be the favorite to be one of the top two corners and lead the new-look Showboats defensive backfield.
QBs Quinten Dormady & E.J. Perry
Three different quarterbacks started for Memphis last season, and it did not work out well for any of them. Spring football veteran quarterbacks Case Cookus and Josh Love are off the roster, with Troy Williams the only one back. That leaves the additions of former Brahmas quarterback Quinten Dormady and former Panthers signal caller E.J. Perry as the next two in line.
Dormady was fifth in the UFL last year in passing yards with 1,205 yards and threw for six touchdowns to six interceptions in San Antonio. Perry started four games for Michigan as he passed for 664 yards and ran for another 152 yards with six total scores.
Both quarterbacks were key in helping their teams make the postseason, so the battle for the starting job will be tight. Whisenhunt will have to pick between pocket quarterback Dormady and athletic scrambler Perry.
S Kyree Woods
Another significant addition to the secondary is another example of a top player back in Memphis. Kyree Woods started every game in the secondary for the Showboats, making 41 tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass deflections, and forcing a fumble.
The team also signed Eli Walker, who succeeded in the USFL for two seasons with the Pittsburgh Maulers. Expect Walker and Woods to either compete at safety or join forces. Memphis’ focus this offseason was rebuilding the secondary, and they certainly have built a good one on paper.
