Memphis Showboats Set 58-Man Roster, Cuts Include Former All-USFL DB
It was a productive offseason for the Memphis Showboats, who now have a new quarterback with plenty of weapons on offense. That led to some tough decisions on Sunday, however, as 17 players were waived to get the roster down to 58.
Here are the players that the Memphis Showboats decided to move on from:
- OT Clayton Bradley
- DE Jordan Brailford
- CB Antoine Brooks
- OLB Kahzin Daniels
- WR Derrick Dillon
- OG Kirk Kelley
- OLB Kolin Hill
- OG Tyran Hunt
- OT Darta Lee
- CB Will Likely
- LB Dylan Moses
- DS Antonio Reed
- DB Michael Stevens
- DE Jeremiah Valoaga
- WR Josh Vann
- OT Sidney Wells
- RB Kerrith Whyte
Starting on offense, two key skill players who were impactful players for the Showboats last season were Dillon (WR) and Whyte (RB). Dillion has torn it up in the USFL the past two seasons with the Tampa Bay Bandits and the Showboats, producing 726 receiving yards and five touchdowns and also returning a kickoff for a touchdown last year. Whyte was top 10 in the USFL in rushing yards with 285 and added two total touchdowns.
The offensive line took a hit with the release of some key players, most notably Kelley, who started eight games for the New Orleans Breakers last year. Memphis also released Bradley and Hunt, both of whom made starts last year for the Showboats.
Today, the Memphis Showboats set their roster to 58 players, as they prepare for the upcoming inaugural UFL season. pic.twitter.com/0OEqsSVeD1
— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) March 10, 2024
The defense also said goodbye to key players. Former New Jersey Generals linebacker Hill was released after making 37 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season in the USFL.
New Orleans’ secondary made a lot of changes, with former All-USFL defensive back Likely being the biggest name on the list. Likely hauled in five interceptions the past two years in the USFL with the Houston Gamblers and XFL with the Houston Roughnecks. The team also waived Stevens (DB), who tallied 25 tackles last year in the secondary. Rounding out the defensive cuts is Brooks (CB), who started all 10 games with the Seattle Sea Dragons in the XFL last year, posting 44 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Memphis will have more cuts to make on March 23 in the final mandatory cutdowns ahead of the regular season.
Memphis Showboats Closer to Settling on Tight Ends
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.