The XFL finished its final piece of their draft process, with its January 1st supplemental draft. Overall, the USFL saw 60 of their former players get drafted by the rival league while only one player (Dexter Williams of the Stars) returns to the USFL. As it’s no surprise that many teams saw players depart (for whatever reason) the Showboats (then known as the Bandits) saw a total of six active players possibly close the door on a return to the USFL. In addition to the six former players, USFL draftees Eli Rogers and Tyler Catalina were also drafted by the XFL’s Orlando Guardians and DC Defenders respectively.

After losing Rashard Davis and Quinton Meeks to the NFL and then the solidifying their departure by getting drafted in the November XFL draft, the Showboats saw Emmanuel Beal, Travis Feeney, JuWann Bushell-Beaty, and Michael Scott also get selected by XFL teams during the January 1st supplemental draft.

The Showboats who are awaiting the news of Jordan Ta’amu’s allocation to an XFL team, are one of many USFL teams who have seen a roster shake-up due to the XFL’s emergence for the 2023 season. While every player departure is extremely difficult the loss of Alt-League veterans like Travis Feeney and JuWann Bushell-Beaty may hit the hardest. Bushell-Beaty started nine games the “Showboats” (then Bandits) and brings a veteran presence to the young team in a young league. Travis Feeney is also an alt-league asset who returns to his former San Diego Fleet DPP Dave Boller who now runs the St. Louis Battlehawks.

Currently the Showboats roster is listed at 69 players (not including Ta’amu’s inevitable departure) going into 2023. Despite the former Showboats/Bandits player getting drafted it does not mean they will leave. Even though XFL draftees are scheduled to report to Texas for medicals/in-processing there is a possibility that they could resign with the USFL.

So far 5 XFL draftees have chosen to sign USFL contracts rather than continue with the XFL. Despite that possibility for fans of the Showboats the current reality of going into the 2023 season without Ta’amu, their stud offensive tackle, and a defensive leader is not what they were hoping in the beginning of the new year.