KINGSTON, R.I. – Rhode Island will have multiple position battles to watch within the special teams units throughout training camp, particularly at kicker and the return roles.

With the graduation of kicker C.J. Carrick – who set the program records for career points (268), field goals (43) and extra points (119) – URI has to establish the position in camp. Redshirt sophomore Henry Westermann (Haddonfield, N.J.), redshirt freshman Michael DeBolt (Mansfield, Mass.) and incoming freshman Dylan Shank (Medfield, N.J.) will compete for the role.

The two players that are locked in place are punter Davey Schaum-Bartocci (Penfield, N.Y.) and long snapper Donato Crisanti (North Haven, Conn.).

A redshirt senior, Schaum-Bartocci has excelled over the last three season, handling the punting and holder roles for the last 26 games. He is the only player URI player ever to average 40.0 yards per attempt, and he has three of the top 10 season averages in program history (41.6 in 2020-21, 40.0 in 2019 and 39.6 in 2021). His hang time and distance allowed the punt coverage unit to average 37.1 net yards per punt last fall. Schaum-Bartocci pinned 12 punts inside the opposing 20-yard line and had three punts of 50 yards or more.

Since arriving from Rutgers before the 2020-21 season, Crisanti has been rock solid as the team's long snapper. His flawless deliveries on punts, field goals and extra points over the last 14 games have enabled those units to produce record-setting results over the last two seasons.

In the punt return game, the Rams will need to fill the void left by the graduation of Coby Tippett, who was the CAA Football First Team All-Conference punt return last season. With Tippett posing as a threat every time the opposition had to punt, the Rams led the conference in punt return average (12.6 per attempt).

Look for wide receivers Paul Woods (Buffalo, N.Y.), Ed Lee (Washington, D.C.), John Erby (Chester, S.C.) and Pitt transfer John Vardzel (Charleston, S.C.) to be among those competing for the role. Woods, Lee and Erby have all practiced in the role for Rhode Island, while Vardzel has seen time as a returner for the Panthers.

Jaylen Smith (Pawtucket, R.I.) was the team's primary kick returner in 2021 before injuries pressed him into the starting running back role over the final five games. Smith was strong in the role, averaging 21.4 yards on 24 attempts. It was a major reason he racked up 1,092 all-purpose yards as a freshman.

Jamall Mensah (Episcopal, Va.), Fredrick Mallay (Providence, R.I.) and Lee have all lined up deep for the Rams and could be in the mix. Maryland transfer DeJuan Ellis (Accokeek, Md.) has experience as a return man for the Terps as well.