KINGSTON, R.I. - The deepest and most experienced unit for Rhode Island in 2023 is the offensive line, where the Rams return four starters from a year ago, as well as several others who have seen the field already in their careers.

There is an argument to be made for Rhode Island having the best offensive line in the FCS, as the Rams return All-American Nick Correia at right guard, All-CAA Football selection Lorenzo Thompson at left tackle and three-year team captain and offensive anchor Sebastian Delasoudas at center. The trio of redshirt seniors have all started at least 25 consecutive games and they have a combined 115 games played with 90 starts.

Correia (Nantucket, Mass.) is a consensus preseason All-American this year and also earned Stats Perform Third Team All-American honors following the 2022 season. He has started 37 straight games at right tackle and already has appeared in 40 career games. Heading into his final season, he has a chance to set program records for career games played and will be watched by NFL scouts all season.

Thompson has started 25 straight games at left tackle and played in 38 games overall. Another All-America candidate who will get looks from pro scouts, the 6-7 Thompson uses his wingspan and technique to keep the blindside safe. 

Delasoudas (Ft. Lee, N.J.) has been the leader and heartbeat of the offense over the course of his career. He has started 28 of the 37 games he has played, including all 25 contests over the last three seasons. Aggressive and stout in the middle of the line, Delasoudas is an all-conference caliber player who has earned the respect of the entire conference during his time in Kingston.

At left guard, the team returns both Adam McKanna (Summerville, S.C.) and Michael Scibelli (Oceanside, N.Y.), who manned the spot a year ago. McKanna opened the season as the starter before missing the bulk of the year with an injury. He returned late in the season and made two more appearances as a reserve. Scibelli - who transferred in from Miami before the 2022 season - stepped in and started the final nine games of the season. He played in all 11 games and helped the Rams average 168.8 rushing yards per game. A newcomer to watch is transfer Brock Bethea (Pinson, Ala.). Bethea comes to the Rams with three years of eligibility. He attended UAB last year but did not play football. He spent three years at Chattanooga, appearing in nine games while playing at various spots along the line.

The biggest hole to fill is at right tackle, where 2022 First Team All-Conference selection A.J. Cornelius was for the last two seasons. He transferred to Oregon in the offseason, but the Rams have plenty of options at the spot. Veteran Jordan Riendeau (Narragansett, R.I.) is a redshirt junior who has been solid when called upon throughout his time with the Rams. He has played in 15 games at right tackle and on special teams, including time as the starter during the 2020-21 COVID-19 spring season.

Redshirt sophomore Jacob Otts (Saint John's Fla.) was the primary backup to Thompson at left tackle last season, and he appeared in all 11 games. He has 15 games to his credit and worked at both tackle spots during the spring. Like Thompson, he is 6-7 with a massive wingspan. He is a key member of the field goal unit on special teams. Also in the tackle mix is Boston College transfer Kevin Pyne (Milford, Mass.). The 6-7 Pyne is a graduate student transfer potentially has three seasons of eligibility remaining.

A trio of returners have the Rams well stocked along the interior of the line. Redshirt sophomore Kai Rose (Martha's Vineyard, Mass.) and redshirt freshmen Asa Neal (Rahway, N.J.) and Tre Alexander (Tampa, Fla.) were all members of the travel squad who saw the field last season. Rose played in all 11 games a year ago, with most of his time coming on special teams as part of the field goal unit. He served as the primary backup to Delasoudas at center. Neal and Alexander both got into one game each in 2022 while preserving redshirt seasons. Both can man either guard spot, and Alexander also has worked at center as well.

Redshirt freshman Nick Lombardo (Hope, R.I.) and senior Daniel Ayriyan (Smithfield, R.I.) are a pair of local products who were scout team players last season.

Rhody also brought in a pair of true freshmen who signed with the program during the early period in December. Dontay Bishop (New Britain, Conn.) played both tackle spots as an All-State selection last fall. He also was athletic enough as a tight end. Crim earned an invitation to the Blue-Gray All-American Bowl following his senior season and has a reputation for with an edge at tackle. He brings power and physicality to the field and will likely get looks at guard as well as tackle. 

2023 Training Camp begins on Monday, July 31.