Showboats Draft Picks
The Memphis Showboats chose fourth in the first USFL college draft. The Showboats kept that same pick in each of the next 9 rounds. Here are their selections and just a taste of the players’ background; more details as the players approach training camp.
Showboats Draft Picks (Early Rounds)
RD 1 Mason Brooks is the first-round choice for the Memphis Showboats. He is a 6’6″, 330-pound OG from Ole Miss. He began at Western Ky, playing 4 seasons. He made All-Conference USA in his fourth year. Brooks played 113 snaps in 8 games at Ole Miss his final year, allowing 0 QB hurries and 0 QB sacks (according to NFLdraftbuzz).
RD 2 Isaiah Bolden is a Cornerback from Jackson State. He’s been “coached up” by Hall of Fame defensive back, Deion Sanders. Here’s a game story from the “Celebration Bowl”, where Bolden recorded 5 tackles. There’s also a very detailed draft write-up about him at Sportskeeda.
RD 3 Brevin Allen is a DE/Edge Rusher from Campbell College. He has a 4.6 40, and is a 6′ 4″ 260-pounder. According to a detailed draft preview at nfldraftbuzz he can bench 415, and his last season in 9 games had 6 sacks and 13 tackles.
38 and counting 😤
@Datboybrev4 became our all-time leader in tackles for loss on Saturday #RollHumps 🐪🏈 pic.twitter.com/x3kDgcg2kv
— Campbell Football (@GoCamelsFB) October 21, 2022
RD 4 Benny Sapp III made FCS 3rd-team AP All-American as a defensive back, played at UNI. Standout at a smaller school, we’ll see how he does next level up. (Whether with the Showboats or some other league.)
🔵FCS Player Spotlight🔵
Benny Sapp III (Northern Iowa; DB)
Career Stats: 93 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 5 INTs, 5 PBUs
🔹2020-21 MVFC All-Newcomer Team
🔹2021 2nd Team All-MVFC Selection
🔹2022 Bluebloods Preseason 2nd Team FCS All-American
🔹2022 Bluebloods Preseason All-MVFC pic.twitter.com/gNSlsPyCqM— FCS Football Central (@The__Bluebloods) July 16, 2022
Showboats Draft Picks (Later Rounds)
RD 5 Michael Ezeike is a 6’4″ 250 pound TE from UCLA. He was a four-star recruit out of high school. In his senior season he made 20 catches for 226 yards, and four touchdowns (according to Sports reference.com ) His upside is high, and there is the chance he dropped this low because of a high likelihood of making an NFL roster. There’s a wonderful piece in the Sporting Tribune that talks about his journey.
RD 6 Jerome Carvin Offensive Guard for the University of TN. Played at the Shrine Bowl. You should read this in-depth piece about him by NFL-centric blog Steelers Depot. Carvin’s calling card is his consistency and versatility.
Jerome Carvin controls the defender. He's played all 3 spots on the interior pic.twitter.com/L45Ue4RuJk
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 31, 2023
RD 7 Nehemiah Shelton is a DB with the San Jose Spartans. You can hear a draft prospect interview with him here on Substack. He is 6’2″, 168 pounds, and was in 12 games, Shelton made 49 tackles with 2 interceptions.
RD 8 Trea Shropshire WR, UAB Sports has a good synopsis of his career. 6 foot 3 195 pounds, he was honorable mention Conference USA his last 2 seasons. According to an article here, he lead the nation in yards per catch. (The article is worthwhile reading about his overcoming some personal obstacles).
RD 9 Silas Dsanzi LT from Virginia Tech. A detailed article explaining his switch to LT.
At 6’5, 333 lbs and possessing 36 1/8” arms & an 84 7/8” wingspan, OT #60 @SDzansi owns physical tools that can’t be developed. What we see 👇 from the @NFLPABowl, tho, is his ability to win vs o/s rush, i/s spin & his 💪 in run game. 📈📈#NFLPABowl #NFLDraft2023 pic.twitter.com/kJf6IhxDCC
— Dane Vandernat (@DVandernat) February 15, 2023
RD 10 Antonio Fletcher is a safety out of Southern Illinois. Here, read a really nice feel-good story about Antonio Fletcher, his whole life not just his football life.
Showboats Draft (Summary and path forward)
One of the few teams not drafting a QB. The USFL put in place a mandatory 3-QB policy, referencing the disastrous results for the SF 49’ers (of the NFL, you might have heard of it) coming up with a fourth-string QB after numerous injuries. Of course, you should be reminded each of these players may be drafted by the NFL, the USFL draft preserves their rights against other USFL teams only. The Showboats lost 4 linemen from last year’s Tampa Bay Bandit’s roster. So the focus on offensive linemen seems prudent. Also, the QB room is stacked, including local legend (yes, I said it, legend) Brady White to compete for the starting job against 2 other excellent candidates.