The Memphis Showboats re-signed offensive lineman Jared Thomas, and linebackers Greg Reaves and Malik Lawal on Wednesday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Jared Thomas is six foot two and weighs 310 pounds. The 27-year-old from Indianapolis, Indiana, was drafted by the Memphis Showboats in the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft. In 2024, Memphis’s offense ranked last in total offense (2,303), rushing yards (650), passing yards (1,653), yards per game (230.3), and seventh in touchdowns (21).
Thomas was drafted by the New Orleans Breakers (USFL) in the 20th round (163rd pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. He started ten games for the Breakers helping them reach the USFL playoffs against the Birmingham Stallions in the South Divisional Final.
Then, Thomas was drafted by the Seattle Sea Dragons (XFL) in the third round (20th pick) of the 2023 XFL Supplemental Draft. He started 10 games for the Sea Dragons.
Collegiately, Thomas played five seasons at Northwestern (2015-19) playing left tackle in 43 games for the Wildcats. In 2018, Northwestern’s offensive line helped protect quarterback Clayton Thorson as he threw for 3,183 yards, the third-highest mark in the Big Ten.
Greg Reaves is six foot two and weighs 241 pounds. The 28-year-old from Bradenton, Florida, made 22 tackles (11 solo, 11 assists), 2 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble in 10 games.
Reaves signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2020 but was released on August 1, 2020. He later played for the Sea Lions (TSL).
The Memphis Showboats (then the Tampa Bay Bandits) drafted Reaves in the 30th round (241st pick) in the 2022 USFL Draft. In his first season, Reaves had 37 tackles (20 solo, 17 assists), five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and four pass breakups in ten games for the Bandits in 2022.
In 2023, Reaves had 33 tackles (18 solo, 15 assists), four tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions for 15 yards, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three pass breakups in ten games.
Collegiately, Reaves played four seasons at South Florida (2016-19) with 210 tackles (116 solo, 94 assists), 30.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one interception for 48 yards, seven pass breakups, and three fumble recoveries in 45 games for the Bulls.
Malik Lawal is six foot one and weighs 228 pounds. The 26-year-old from Temecula, California, made 41 tackles (29 solo, 12 assists), 3 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in 7 games.
Lawal signed with the Memphis Showboats (then Tampa Bay Bandits) on September 26, 2022. In 2023, Lawal made 26 tackles (14 solo, 12 assists), one tackle for loss, and 2 pass breakups in 10 games.
Collegiately, Lawal played three seasons at Arizona State (2016-18) making 33 tackles (25 solo, 8 assists), 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one blocked kick, and one punt return for 24 yards in 34 games for the Sun Devils. Then, Lawal transferred to Tulane in 2019 making 37 tackles (22 solo, 15 assists), 2 tackles for loss, and 1 sack in 13 games for the Mean Green.
