The final game of the UFL’s opening weekend will be loaded with former Detroit Lions players.
The Memphis Showboats will play the Houston Roughnecks, and a total of 12 players who once sported the Honolulu Blue are slated to make an appearance.
Jonathan Adams – Wide Receiver, Memphis Showboats
Detroit Lions receivers Jonathan Adams (82) and Javon McKinley (83) during organized team activities at Lions headquarters in Allen Park, Thursday, May 27, 2021.
A two-sport athlete at Arkansas State, Adams went on to sign with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2021. He was cut by Detroit in the middle of the preseason that year and did not return to the team. His NFL career appeared to be over after being served a six-game suspension not long after his release.
Adams is now primed to be the number one receiver for the Showboats.
Sage Surratt and Wes Saxton – Tight Ends, Memphis Showboats
Lions receiver Sage Surratt catches a pass during training camp at the Allen Park facility on Wednesday, July 28, 2021.
Lions
Originally a wide receiver for Detroit, Surratt is now the starting tight end for Memphis.
Surratt was an undrafted rookie in 2021 who spent the entirety of the preseason with the team. Despite not contributing a reception on three targets, he was brought back to the practice squad for the first two weeks of the season.
Saxton’s time in Detroit was just ten days long during June of 2018. The former South Alabama player is now Surratt’s backup in Memphis.
Jarron Jones, Darrin Paulo, and Salesi Uhatafe – Offensive Linemen, Memphis Showboats
Detroit Lions tackle Darrin Paulo (66) during organized team activity at Lions headquarters in Allen Park, Thursday, May 27, 2021.
Two former Lions – Paulo and Jones – have been named starting offensive linemen for the Memphis Showboats.
Paulo, who had an on-and-off relationship with the Lions between 2021 and 2023, never appeared in a game for the team. The former undrafted player out of Utah has been signed and released by Detroit nine times over that span. He is now the starting left guard for Memphis.
Jarron Jones signed to Detroit’s practice squad near the end of the 2018 season and was re-signed to a reserve/futures deal soon after. He was released in May of 2019. Jones will get the start at right tackle for the Showboats.
Salesi Uhatafe spent about two weeks on Detroit’s practice squad in 2018 and is now a backup to Paulo at the guard position.
John Atkins and Daylon Mack – Defensive Linemen, Memphis Showboats
Lions defensive tackle John Atkins rushes Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during the second half of the Lions’ 35-27 loss on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, at Ford Field.
Lions Vs Dallas
Two former Detroit Lions will be playing nose tackle on Memphis’ defensive line this season, with one having a more memorable career in Detroit than the other.
Atkins was with the Lions from 2018 to 2021, but missed the 2020 season after opting out due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally on the practice squad, he was elevated late in the 2018 season and provided some solid depth at nose tackle for Detroit.
Atkins logged 22 tackles as a Lion over 14 games and six starts. He will now start for Memphis.
Mack was picked up on waivers by the Lions in 2022 but was released not long later due to a failed physical.
Mark Thompson – Running Back, Houston Roughnecks
Detroit Lions’ Mark Thompson scores a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the second half Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 at Ford Field.
Mark Thompson
Mark Thompson had an impressive preseason for the Lions back in 2019. On 28 carries, he ran for 115 yards and found the endzone twice. He also contributed 31 receiving yards during that time. Instead of returning to Detroit after being released, he signed to Baltimore’s practice squad.
Olive Sagapolu and Toby Johnson – Defensive Linemen, Houston Roughnecks
Defensive linemen Danny Shelton, left, and Olive Sagapolu go through drills during Detroit Lions training camp Sunday, August 23, 2020 in Allen Park.
Lions
Olive Sagapolu will start for Houston after once being a Detroit Lion from 2019 to 2020.
Despite being with the team for two seasons, he never appeared in a preseason or regular season game as a Lion.
Toby Johnson signed to Detroit’s practice squad at the end of the 2017 season. He returned with the team in 2018 and was waived with an injury designation after appearing in two preseason games.
Corn Elder – Cornerback, Houston Roughnecks
Detroit Lions cornerback Corn Elder (29) warms up during training camp at the team’s practice facility in Allen Park, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021.
Elder was signed during free agency in 2021 and was expected to compete for the starting nickel cornerback role.
Despite coming away with an interception in the preseason, Elder failed to make the final roster and was waived.
He is now a backup cornerback for the Roughnecks.