The Memphis Showboats signed quarterback Sam Castronova and offensive lineman Isaiah Hardy on Monday according to the UFL Transactions page.
San Castronova is six foot two and weighs 215 pounds. A native of Buffalo, New York, Castronova played for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football One League in 2025 completing 128 of 204 passes (62.7%) for 1,735 yards, 48 touchdowns, three interceptions, 24 carries for 135 yards, six rushing touchdowns, and one catch for 17 yards in 10 games.
In the playoffs, Castronova completed 38 of 58 passes (65.5%) for 536 yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight carries for 44 yards, helping the Firebirds win the Arena Crown Championship over the Salina Liberty. He was named the 2025 AF1 MVP.
After the season, he signed with the Tulsa Oilers of the Indoor Football League on July 14, 2025. He completed 54 of 85 passes (64%) for 520 yards, 14 touchdowns, one interception, 36 carries for 112 yards, and four touchdowns in three games.
After going undrafted in 2019, Castronova attended the XFL Showcase in Washington, D.C. He later signed with the Carolina Cobras on October 13, 2020. However, he never played for the Cobras. In 2022, he played for the Albany Empire (NAL) completing 199 of 310 passes (64.2%) for 2,433 yards, 58 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 41 carries for 226 yards, six touchdowns, and one catch for 13 yards in 11 games.
In the NAL playoffs, he completed 21 of 31 passes (68%) for 206 yards, six touchdowns, one interception, eight carries for 46 yards, and six touchdowns leading the Empire to win the championship over the Columbus Lions 39-31.
In 2023, he split his time between the Jacksonville Sharks and the Albany Empire. In Albany, he completed 58 of 87 passes (67%) for 724 yards, 17 touchdowns, one interception, three carries for 15 yards, and four rushing touchdowns in three games. He left the team due to the Albany owner Antonio Brown’s lack of payment saga.
The Jacksonville Sharks signed Castronova on May 4, 2023. He completed 151 of 197 passes (77%) for 2,100 yards, 48 touchdowns, one interception, eight carries for 119 yards, and four rushing touchdowns. In the playoffs, he completed 13 of 24 passes (54.2%) for 106 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, five carries for 30 yards, and two rushing touchdowns leading the Sharks to the NAL title over the Carolina Cobras.
The San Antonio Gunslingers (IFL) signed Castronova on October 2, 2023. In 2024, he completed 294 of 438 passes (67.1%) for 3,346 yards, 75 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 117 carries for 485 yards, and 23 rushing touchdowns in 16 games. He was named the 2024 IFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Collegiately, Castronova played two seasons at Erie Community College (2015-16) completing 259 of 498 passes (52%) for 3,272 yards, 32 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 146 carries for 458 yards, six rushing touchdowns, one tackle (1 solo), and one fumble recovery in 19 games for the Kats.
Then, he transferred to Bethel (TN) University (2017-18) completing 322 of 572 passes (56.3%) for 4,639 yards, 39 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 164 carries for 724 yards, nine rushing touchdowns, and one catch for 10 yards in 21 games for the Wildcats. He was named the Craig Mullins MSC Bluegrass Offensive Player of the Year in 2018.
Isaiah Hardy is six foot five and weighs 330 pounds. A native of Laurel Springs, New Jersey, Hardy signed with the Albany Firebirds on February 7, 2025. In 2025, he started 10 games making two tackles (2 solo) helping the Firebirds win the Arena Crown championship over the Salina Liberty. Hardy also played for the Jacksonville Sharks (NAL) and the San Antonio Gunslingers (IFL).
Collegiately, Hardy played two seasons at Lackawanna College (2015-16) playing guard in 21 games for the Falcons. In 2016, Lackawanna College ranked third nationally in scoring (515) and rushing touchdowns (36), fourth in points per game (46.8), total offensive yards (5,343), yards per passing attempt (9.7), and total offensive yards per game (485.7), fifth in passing touchdowns (32) and rushing yards (2,813), and sixteenth in passing yards (2,530). He was named First Team All-NEC and Third Team All-NEC.
Then, he transferred to West Virginia (2017-18) playing right guard and tackle in 22 games for the Mountaineers. In 2018, West Virginia averaged 40.2 points per game, 512.2 yards per game, 351.3 passing yards per game, 160.9 rushing yards per game, 60 touchdowns, and allowed 29 sacks finishing 8-4 for the season.
