KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island officially began reloading for the 2023 season, adding eight true freshmen and five transfers on Wednesday's early NLI Signing Day.
The early signing day focused on the trenches and offensive backfield, as the Rams added four defensive linemen, four offensive linemen, three running backs, one linebacker and one defensive back.
"As is always the case, the program improved today, both for the immediate future and for long-term success," Rhode Island head coach
Jim Fleming said. "College recruiting is an ever-evolving process these days, and our staff did an excellent job through both the high school ranks and the transfer portal. Our staff is well connected throughout the country, as we have identified a number of young men of high character and ability in a several keys areas."
Pharrell Adams
Defensive Line
Snyder High School | Jersey City, N.J.
6-3 | 255
Freshman
A two-time First-Team All-Conference selection for Snyder High School, Adams had 63 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks in his senior season. He also forced and recovered two fumbles. The 12.5 sacks tied him for seventh among all players in New Jersey, and he set Snyder's single-game record with four sacks. Explosive off the line and able to shed blocks, Adams also earned First Team All Group 3 honors. He announced his commitment to the Rams in November.
Lead Recruiter Stefon Wheeler on Adams
"Pharrell is very disruptive defensive lineman with a ton of potential. He is very explosive and can play anywhere across the defensive front."
Brock Bethea
Offensive Line
Chattanooga | Pinson, Ala.
6-5 | 305
2 Years of Eligibility
An Alabama native, Bethea comes to Rhode Island from Chattanooga with two years of eligibility. He appeared in eight games in 2021 as a redshirt freshman in 2021 as part of an offensive line that allowed just nine sacks, a school record for fewest in a season. The line led the Southern Conference in fewest sacks and tackles for loss allowed that year. A Dean's List student and A.D. Honor Roll student throughout his time with Chattanooga, Bethea was an All-Region selection for Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Ala.
Lead Recruiter Brendan Patterson on Bethea
"Brock has a great combination of size and athleticism. He has quick feet and violent hands. He brings valuable experience from his time at Chattanooga, where he was part of the line rotation and had a couple of starts."
Dontay Bishop
Offensive Line
New Britain (Conn.)
6-6 | 315
Freshman
An All-State selection for New Britain, Bishop is an imposing, physical blocker who lined up at both tackle spots. At 6-6 and 315 pounds, he can already squat 450 pounds and bench 315. Very athletic, he was often used as a tight end and had several catch-and-run touchdowns as a senior. Bishop was recruited by Maine, UConn, Central Connecticut State and Bryant.
Lead Recruiter Jack Cooper on Bishop
"Dontay is a great young man with a hard work ethic and determination that we grew to love as a staff. We love his family and the New Britain football program. We know he is going to make a great impact in our program on the offensive line, and he is going to make a lot of people proud back in New Britain, Conn. "
Patrick Conserve, Jr.
Defensive Line
Cumberland High School | Cumberland, R.I.
6-3 | 255
Freshman
An in-state product from Cumberland, Conserve was one of the top two-way starters in Rhode Island this fall as a linebacker/defensive end and offensive guard. He had 87 tackles and 11.5 tackles for loss in 10 contests this fall. The Clippers captain - who hails from the same program that produced former URI captain
Andre Bibeault - earned First Team All-Division honors First offered by the Rams in April, he was recruited by Temple, Merrimack, Stonehill and Central Connecticut State.
Lead Recruiter Chris Satoh on Conserve
"When you watch him on the field, you can see why teams purposely tried to run away from Pat. He's a multi-talented individual who loves football just as much as he does helping his community. He's dealt with adversity growing up and is mature beyond his years, so we are really excited about his ability to eventually become a leader in this program."
Harrison Crim
Offensive Line
West Springfield | West Springfield, Va.
6-5 | 295
Freshman
An All-District selection for West Springfield as a left tackle, Crim plays with an edge to his game. Physically powerful, he can bench 355 pounds and deadlift 540 pounds. His play earned him an invitation to the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl next month at Tampa Bay's Raymond James Stadium. In addition to his success on the gridiron, Crim is an All-State shot putter and discus thrower for West Springfield. Among the schools to offer Crim were James Madison, New Hampshire, Colgate, ETSU, Maine, Towson, Saint Francis, Appalachian State and Duquesne.
Lead Recruiter Patrick Murphy on Crim
"He's an extremely athletic big man whose speed and explosiveness is unique to someone as physically imposing as he is. He is a versatile player who can step in and play inside or outside, and he does so with a nasty demeanor and relishes finishing blocks."
Emmanuel Dankwa
Wayne Hills (N.J.)
Outside Linebacker
6-3 |225
Freshman
As an outside linebacker for Wayne Hills, Dankwa had 59 tackles in nine games this fall while earning First Team All-League honors. A relentless pass rusher, he had 13.0 tackles for loss and seven sacks. A two-way player as a senior, he also lined up as a wide receiver. Dankwa held offers from Syracuse, Massachusetts, Army, Delaware, Elon, Fordham and Lehigh, Maine and Monmouth.
Lead Recruiter Stefon Wheeler on Dankwa
"Emmanuel is a very explosive linebacker who offers position versatility. He is equally effective playing in space as he is rushing the passer."
Mitchell Garner
Defensive Back
St. Vincent | Pallotti, Md.
6-3 | 215
Freshman
An outside linebacker and defensive back for St. Vincent, Garner will line up in the secondary, bringing a physical, hard-hitting presence to the defense. His play earned him an invitation to the Chambersburg Peach Bowl Showcase He held offers from Temple, Old Dominion, Ohio, Rutgers, James Madison, Akron, Howard, Massachusetts, Liberty, New Hampshire, Monmouth and more.
Lead Recruiter Patrick Murphy on Garner
"He's an exceptional athlete who has a rare combination of size and speed. Extremely versatile he's lined up at just about every defensive position on the field and has been an impact player at each. We're excited to see his explosiveness and play making ability on the field for us."
Carson Harwood
Catholic Memorial (Mass.)
Running Back
6-0 | 220
Freshman
Harwood led powerhouse Catholic Memorial to an undefeated season and second straight Division 2 state title, as well as a No. 1 ranking in Eastern Massachusetts. It was back-to-back unbeaten seasons for the team, led by Harwood, who was the Co-Catholic Conference MVP. The team scored at least 27 points in every game , Harwood led an offense that scored at least 27 points every game this fall. He chose Rhode Island over Bowling Green.
Lead Recruiter Chris Satoh on Harwood
"Carson is a very unassuming and humble young man, and he's going to push to make everyone around him better. He is a threat every time he touches the ball and has consistently demonstrated that he will outrun defenders or run them over. He absolutely loves football, has a great work ethic, and loves to compete."
Desmond Mamudi
Defensive Line
Virginia Tech | Tampa, Fla.
6-3 | 305
3 Years of Eligibility
A transfer from Virginia Tech with three years of eligibility, Mamudi brings size and athleticism to the Rhody defensive front. At 6-3 and 305 pounds, he is more than a space eater. In two seasons at Carrollwood Day in Florida, he had 146 tackles and nine sacks. As a junior, he had 23.0 tackles for loss while leading Carrollwood to a program-best 12-2 record. After missing 2021 with an injury, he did not appear in any games for the Hokies this fall. Mamudi was a three-star recruit out of high school who initially committed to USF before heading to Virginia Tech.
Lead Recruiter Mike Flanagan on Mamudi
"Mamudi is strong and explosive, with heavy hands. He is extremely physical in the run game, with great ability to rush the passer. We are excited to watch him make an early impact."
Case Mankins
Bishop Feehan (Mass.)
Defensive Line
6-3 | 245
Freshman
An All-State selection and team captain for Bishop Feehan, Mankins was the CCL Defensive Lineman of the Year and a CCL All-Star. The son of New England Patriots legend Logan Mankins, he held offers from New Hampshire, Fordham, Bryant, Maine and Stonehill while also visiting with Boston College, Massachusetts and Brown. His sister Kaylee is an All-NEC softball player at Bentley.
Lead Recruiter Chris Satoh on Mankins
"Case instantly clicked with the guys on our team and we knew he would be a great fit with our culture. He has a throwback mentality in the sense that he doesn't care about the glitz and glamour of the deserved attention and rather focuses on busting his tail and leaving everything on the field. He's tough as nails and has an anywhere, anytime, anyplace mentality."
Ja'Den McKenzie
West Chester | Morton, Pa.
Running Back
6-2 | 238
1 Year of Eligibility
A physical, powerful runner out of the backfield, McKenzie comes to the Rams with one season of eligibility. In three seasons at Division II West Chester, he rushed for 2,603 yards and 30 touchdowns in 33 games. In 2022, he also caught nine passes for 76 yards and a score. A three-time First Team All-PSAC honoree, he set the school's freshman rushing record in 2019 with 917 yards, helping him earn a spot on the Don Hansen Football Gazette All-Super Region 1 squad. McKenzie also was the Don Hansen Football Gazette Region 1 Freshman of the Year that season.
Lead recruiter Mike Flanagan on McKenzie
"Ja'Den has been one of the nation's best players at the Division II level. He has a great combination of size and athleticism. He is an all-around, every down back who can run through or around defenders."
Moses Meus
Saint Raphael | Pawtucket, R.I.
Linebacker
6-3 | 230
Freshman
The Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year, Meus is a three-time All-State selection who earned MVP honors while leading Saint Raphael to the Division II state title in 2022. As a senior, he had 94 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and two sacks. On the offensive side of the ball, he rushed for 531 yards and four touchdowns while also catching 14 passes for 273 yards and five more touchdowns. On special teams, he led the state in punting average while also blocking two punts and one field goal. The exceptionally versatile Meus chose Rhode Island over Army and Wake Forest. He is the second consecutive R.I. Gatorade Player of the Year to come to URI, joining 2022 commit
Marquis Buchanan. Meus also joins former Saint Raphael teammate
Andre DePina-Gray, who was a freshman with the Rams last fall.
Lead Recruiter Chris Satoh on Meus
"Moses is a tremendous homegrown talent that we knew we couldn't let leave the state. He is athletically gifted, can line up all over the field, plays with tremendous confidence, and is a true force to be reckoned with on the field. He excels in virtually anything he does and he's an outstanding student with big academic pursuits."
Kevin Pyne
Boston College | Milford, Mass.
Offensive Line
6-8 | 310
3 Years remaining
Pyne's journey has come full circle, as Rhode Island was his first scholarship offer coming out of high school. The graduate transfer eventually chose Boston College, but now he comes to Kingston with three seasons of eligibility. Coming out of high school, the 6-8, 310-pound lineman was one of the most recruited lineman in the nation, getting offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida State, Kentucky, Arkansas, Auburn, Mississippi State, LSU, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Virginia, Texas A&M, Northwestern, Clemson, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, Purdue, Syracuse, Duke and Massachusetts.
Lead recruiter Mike Flanagan on Pyne
"We were Kevin's first offer years ago before he became one of the highest recruited offensive linemen in the country. Kevin has great length and will bring an added level of toughness and hard work to our strong and talented O-Line room. We are fired up to get Kevin here in the Spring."
Deon Silas
Iowa State | Memphis, Tenn.
Running Back
5-8 | 190
2 Years
An all-purpose back with 16 games at Iowa State to his credit, Silas brings a dynamic play-making ability to the Rams. In 2022, he appeared in all 11 games for Iowa State, rushing for 271 yards and three touchdowns while added nine catches for 38 yards. Coming out of high school, he was the No. 11-ranked all-purpose back by 247Sports, and he had offers from TCU, West Virginia and Virginia. He scored 55 touchdowns for Steinbrenner High in Lutz, Fla.
Lead Recruiter Mike Flanagan on Silas
"Silas was an impact player at Iowa State. He makes defenders miss in multiple ways. He has great feet and an ability to score from anywhere on the field. His versatility makes him a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses."
