KINGSTON, R.I. - An area that will be watched closely throughout training camp will be the kicking game, where Rhode Island will have new players at kicker and punter this season.

Redshirt junior long snapper Donato Crisanti (North Haven, Conn.) has locked the job down since he arrived in Kingston before the 2020-21 season. He has been one of the top snappers in college football since transferring from Rutgers, handling the duties in 25 games for the Rams. He was URI's nomination for the CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team for non-kicking special teams players.

Beyond Crisanti, the kicking and punting spots will be established during training camp. Redshirt freshman Dylan Shank (Mount Laurel, N.J.) is the lone kicker who returns from last season. He redshirted in 2022, as the duties were handled by Harrison Leonard and Michael DeBolt, both of whom left the program at the end of the year. Shank was solid during the Blue-White Game in the spring, converting all four of his extra-point attempts as well as a 26-yard field goal.

Incoming freshman Devin Walter (Concord, N.C.) signed with the Rams in February. The son of former NFL punter Ken Walter (Carolina, New England, Seattle), Devin was a two-time all-conference selection for Cox Mill High School, where he had a hang time of 4.53 seconds on 40-yard punts.  

The Rams added a pair of walk-ons who will compete as kicker/punter combo players. Ty Groff (New Canaan, Conn.) and Will Johnson (Haddonfield, N.J.) joined the team over the summer and will be here for training camp. Groff led New Canaan to a CIAC title last fall as the team's kicker and starting quarterback. He made three field goals in the 16-13 win over Maloney. Groff set a state record with 27 career field goals.

Johnson handled both kicking and punting duties for Paul VI, where he was teammates with current Rhody linebacker Declan Williams. Johnson was a First Team West Jersey Football League National Division All-Star as a kicker. Her had a 65-yard punt to his credit last fall.