The Memphis Showboats re-signed punter Matt Mengel and defensive backs Eli Walker and Amir Riep on Wednesday according to James Larsen and Michael Del Negro.
Matt Mengel is six foot two and weighs 225 pounds. The 32-year-old from Harbor City, California, signed with the Memphis Showboats on January 20, 2025. In 2025, he punted the ball 39 times for 1,595 yards (40.9 AVG), with a long of 69 yards, and seven from inside the 20-yard line in 10 games.
Mengel played for the Generals (TSL) in 2020, making a 55-yard field goal in the championship game. In 2021, he signed with the Montreal Alouettes on July 30, 2021, and was released on July 30, 2021.
Next, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Stars in the 32nd round (249th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. In 2022, he made 6 of 11 field goals (55%) with a long of 44 yards, made 8 of 9 extra points, punted the ball 11 times for 414 yards (37.6 AVG) with a long of 55 yards, two touchbacks, and five fair catches in four games. The Stars released him on May 12, 2022.
Then, he re-signed with the Montreal Alouettes on November 29, 2022. Montreal released him on June 5, 2022. The Edmonton Elks signed Mengel on June 7, 2022. In 2022, he punted the ball 24 times for 879 yards (47.2 AVG) with a long of 63 yards in six games. The Elks released him on July 29, 2022.
The Pittsburgh Maulers signed Mengel on October 5, 2022. In 2023, Mengel punted the ball 39 times for 1,673 yards (42.9 AVG), with a long of 83 yards, and six touchbacks in 10 games as the Maulers appeared in the USFL Championship Game against the Birmingham Stallions.
Collegiately, Mengel played one season at Los Angeles Harbor College in 2012 making 10 of 14 field goals (71.4%), with a long of 43 yards, making 35 of 41 extra points, punting the ball 42 times for 1,627 yards (38.7 AVG), with a long of 59 yards, three touchbacks, and 11 from inside the 20-yard line in 11 games for the Seahawks.
Next, he transferred to Long Beach Community College in 2013, making 5 of 9 field goals (55.6 AVG), made 42 of 44 field goals, punting the ball 45 times for 1,592 yards (35.4 AVG), with a long of 55 yards, 16 inside the 20-yard line, 12 fair catches, and four touchbacks in 10 games for the Vikings.
Then, he transferred to UCLA (2014-15) punting the ball 113 times for 4,535 yards (40.1 AVG), with a long of 64 yards, five touchbacks, 35 from inside the 20-yard line, and 49 fair catches in 25 games for the Bruins.
Eli Walker is six foot two and weighs 202 pounds. The 27-year-old from Long Beach, California, signed with the Memphis Showboats on November 18, 2024. In 2025, he made 57 tackles (42 solos, 15 assists), one tackle for loss, one interception for two yards, and two pass breakups in 10 games.
Walker signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He would later play for the Blues (TSL) that same year. The Pittsburgh Maulers signed Walker as a free agent on April 22, 2022. In 2022, he made 15 tackles (5 solos, 10 assists) in seven games.
In 2023, Walker made 37 tackles (25 solos, 12 assists), one sack, one interception, two fumble recoveries, two touchdowns, and three pass breakups in ten games. In the 2023 USFL playoffs, Walker made seven tackles (6 solos, 1 assist) in two games, helping Pittsburgh reach the USFL Championship Game against the Birmingham Stallions.
Walker was drafted by the Birmingham Stallions in the 2024 UFL Disposal Draft. The Stallions released him on February 14, 2024.
Collegiately, Walker played two seasons at Cerritos College (2015-16) with 117 tackles (67 solos, 50 assists), four tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, four interceptions for 65 yards, and six pass breakups in 20 games for the Falcons.
Then, he transferred to Kansas State (2017-18) with 89 tackles (69 solos, 20 assists), five tackles for loss, and one sack in 23 games for the Wildcats.
Amir Riep is six foot one and weighs 195 pounds. The 27-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio, signed with the Iowa Barnstormers (IFL) on January 15, 2025. The Memphis Showboats signed Riep on January 23, 2025. In 2025, he made seven tackles (4 solos, 3 assists) in five games.
Collegiately, Riep played three seasons at Ohio State (2017-19) making 33 tackles (19 solos, 14 assists), three interceptions for 16 yards, and six pass breakups in 40 games for the Buckeyes. Then, he transferred to Lincoln (CA) University in 2023 making 87 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles, and five pass breakups in 12 games for the Oaklanders.
