'It just feels right': Former Memphis star QB Brady White to start for Showboats in opener
Brady White, the record-setting former Memphis football star, will lead the charge at quarterback for the USFL's reincarnated Showboats.
Head coach Todd Haley told The Commercial Appeal on Tuesday that White will take the first snap when the Showboats host the Philadelphia Stars at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on Saturday (3:30 p.m., FOX).
“It’s gonna be Brady out of the gate,” said Haley. “He’s got a leg up, having been with us last year. Really smart guy, and I’m excited for him to come back and play where he competed (in college). He did a lot of great things for Memphis.”
The Showboats, a rebranded version of the Tampa Bay Bandits (which finished 4-6 last season), are one of two teams calling Memphis home this season. The Houston Gamblers will also play their home games at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
The last time White played a game in Memphis, he led the Tigers to a 30-27 win over Houston. White broke the school record for career passing yards in that game and marched the Tigers down the field (on a drive that began with 28 seconds left on their own 25-yard line) to set up Riley Patterson's walk-off field goal.
“I feel great,” he said Tuesday. “It just feels right. It’s just a special opportunity (and) to be doing it back here in Memphis is super cool for me. It feels right to kinda pick up where I left off a little bit.”
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White was a member of the Bandits last spring and, then, spent last fall as a graduate assistant on Tiger coach Ryan Silverfield's staff. The 26-year-old native of California played three seasons (2018-20) for Silverfield, compiling a horde of eye-popping numbers, including 10,730 passing yards, 91 passing touchdowns, which are both still program records.
None of that matters now, though, said White, whose primary goal is winning games.
“That’s all I care about,” he said. “For anyone that’s followed me through my career or reported on me, you understand I give zero you-know-whats about statistics and all the fluffy stuff that comes with sports. I care about winning and doing my best for my teammates.”
Haley added White likely won't be the only quarterback to see time on the field, noting Ryan Willis (Virginia Tech) and Cole Kelley (Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana) have shown flashes of promise. But, Haley said, given White's familiarity with his system and the surroundings, it gives him an edge of Willis and Kelley. White played sparingly for the Bandits last season, throwing for 59 yards and an interception.
The Showboats will play a 10-game regular season. In its original incarnation, the USFL fielded the Showboats in Memphis for two seasons. The original Showboats were introduced in 1984 as part of the league's expansion from 12 teams to 18. Led by Hall of Fame defensive lineman Reggie White, the Showboats made the USFL playoffs in 1985.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Brady White to start for Memphis Showboats in the USFL season opener
