The Memphis Showboats signed tight end Thomas Burke and released defensive back Darius Phillips on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page.
Thomas Burke is six foot five and weighs 250 pounds. A native of Tysons Corner, Virginia, Burke attended the Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp in 2025.
Collegiately, Burke played four seasons at The College of New Jersey (2021-24) making 128 catches for 1,763 yards, 15 touchdowns, two kick returns for no yards, and five tackles (5 solos) in 36 games for the Lions. In 2024, he made 45 catches for 763 yards, six touchdowns, two kick returns for no yards, and one tackle (1 solo) in 10 games.
Burke was named a two-time Second Team All-Region by D3football.com (2022, 2024), Third Team All-Region by D3football.com (2023), and a three-time First Team All-NJAC (2022-24).
Darius Phillips is five foot ten and weighs 188 pounds. The 28-year-old from Detroit, Michigan, re-signed with the San Antonio Brahmas on August 29, 2024. In 2025, Phillips made 14 tackles (13 solos, 1 assist), and three pass breakups in four games.
Phillips was acquired by the Showboats in a trade with the San Antonio Brahmas on May 6, 2025, for wide receiver Dee Anderson. Phillips did not play for the Showboats last week against the St. Louis Battlehawks.
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted Phillips in the fifth round (170th pick) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He also spent time with the Las Vegas Raiders, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, and Tennessee Titans.
He played 56 NFL games making 75 tackles (60 solos, 15 assists), 2 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions for 103 yards, 3 forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, 25 kick returns for 542 yards, and 30 punt returns for 209 yards.
The San Antonio Brahmas signed Phillips on January 19, 2024. In 2024, Phillips made 19 tackles (13 solos, 6 assists), one tackle for loss, one interception, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 7 games. In the 2024 UFL playoffs, Phillips made 3 tackles (3 solo), two pass breakups, and one forced fumble.
Collegiately, Phillips played four seasons at Western Michigan (2014-17) making 127 tackles (89 solos, 38 assists), 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 12 interceptions for 376 yards, 5 touchdowns, 47 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 34 catches for 495 yards, 2 touchdowns, 4 carries for 45 yards, 129 kick returns for 3,145 yards, 5 touchdowns, 32 punt returns for 327 yards, and one touchdown in 51 games for the Broncos.
He was named a three-time First Team All-MAC at defense and returner, a three-time Second Team All-MAC, and a two-time MAC Special Teams Player of the Year (2016 & 2017).
