The Showboats got busy this week adding seven more players to their roster. This batch of signings was their biggest addition between their off-season for the Bandits/Showboats so far. This time Memphis went extremely heavy on Power 5 teams as six of the seven players have had experience playing in college football’s most elite conferences.
The Showboats brought in four defensive players is this round of signings most notable Big Kat Bryant and Nate Hall. Bryant comes from Auburn/UCF earning All-AAC honors in his senior year which led him to become an UDFA for the Cowboys in 2022. Most recently Bryant was on the Dolphins practice squad before being released in favor of former Michigan Panthers Cornerback Tino Ellis. The Showboats also picked up Nate Hall a Linebacker from Northwestern. Hall has played for seven NFL teams since becoming a UDFA in 2019. Hall has also recorded 10 tackles and 2 sacks during his NFL career.
The Two other defensive players the Showboats have signed are Defensive Linemen Jordan Williams and Viane Moala. Williams played at Va Tech and Clemson recording 72 tackles with 6.5 sacks in college. Moala comes to the Showboats after playing at Utah and Hawaii. Moala was plagued by injuries during his final two collegiate seasons and looks to show NFL teams he’s healthy and capable.
The Showboats also added three Offensive Players including former New York Giants Center Brett Heggie. Heggie is a 2021 UDFA out of Florida, who spent 2021 with the Giants on their practice squad. Most recently Heggie was with the Raiders however, was cut in May of 2022. The Showboats added two skill positions with TE Jay Jay Wilson, and WR Talolo Limu-Jones. Wilson was a versatile player in college playing both H-Back and Linebacker, while Talolo Limu-Jones earned All-American honors at Eastern Washington. Most recently Limu-Jones spent some time with the Carolina Panthers before being released in June.
While seven additions may seem excessive, the Showboats go into the new year, with several unknowns. With many USFL players expected to “opt-out” of their contracts it’s only inevitable that the Showboats will have a new look in 2023. One such player QB Jordan Ta’amu has been seen in Arlington with Jordan Palmer and it seems that the team looks all-in on Brady White for the 2023 season. With December 31st right around the corner, the Showboats may see even more players depart however, it does seem like Todd Haley and his coaching staff are being proactive in bringing in players with NFL experience at this time.
