KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island football program was well represented in the release of CAA Football's postseason awards on Tuesday afternoon. Head Coach Jim Fleming earned the league's Coach of the Year, linebacker A.J. Pena was named Defensive Player of the Year, and five Rams were named to the conference's First Team. 

Fleming became the fourth coach in program history to collect a conference Coach of the Year honor and second since Rhode Island joined the CAA. Bob Griffin (Yankee Conference) received the honor twice in 1984 and 1985. Tim Stowers won Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year in 2001. Joe Trainer was the CAA Coach of the Year in 2010. 

Rhode Island had its most successful conference season since 1985 under Fleming. The 2025 Rams are the first team to go undefeated in conference play since 1985. Fleming has led Rhode Island to back-to-back CAA titles. The Rams shared the title with Richmond in 2024 and won it outright this season for the first time in four decades.

Pena is the first player to win a conference Defensive Player of the Year honor. He is the second player in program history to earn a Player of the Year award, and the first since Wendall Williams won Atlantic 10 Special Teams Player of the Year in 2003. Pena's 17.5 tackles for loss was the best in the CAA. His 9.5 sacks was second best in the league. This season, Pena became the program leader in tackles for loss (62) and sacks (36.5). The four-year Ram is now a two-time CAA First-Team honoree having taken home the designation in 2024. Fullback Joey Kenny (2020 and 2021) is the last player to earn the honor in back-to-back seasons.

In total, 13 Rams secured a program-best 13 all-conference spots with three additional players earning Honorable Mention nods. It has been back-to-back seasons that Rhode Island has set program-bests in all-conference spots. In 2024, Rhode Island grabbed a then program-best 12 all-conference spots. 

Quarterback Devin Farrell, receiver Marquis Buchanan, tight end Connor Finer, and defensive back Ayinde Johnson all joined Pena on the First-Team. Running back Antwain Littleton, Jr., receiver Greg Gaines III, offensive linemen Tre Alexander and Brock Bethea, and linebacker Rohan Davy made the conference's Second-Team. Offensive lineman Christian Smith, defensive lineman Case Mankins, and linebacker Moses Meus all earned Third-Team honors. Offensive lineman Thomas Buxton, kicker Garth White, and safety Andre DePina-Gray all received Honorable Mention. 

Farrell has been a model of consistency all season for Rhody. His 66.6 percent completion percentage is best in the CAA, 22nd nationally, and on pace for the second-highest in a single season in program history. After passing for 151 yards against Hampton in the regular season finale, Farrell became the fourth quarterback in program history to pass for over 3,000 yards in a single season. His 3,086 passing yards in 2025 is most in the CAA. He is second in the league with 20 touchdown passes. He is the first Rhode Island quarterback since Tom Ehrhardt (Yankee Conference, 1985) to be selected as First-Team All-Conference.

Farrell has played best when the competition is the hardest. Against New Hampshire, Maine, and Elon, three of the CAA's top five defenses, Farrell has completed 73 percent of his passes for 694 yards, five total touchdowns, and one interception.

Having received Second-Team recognition last season, Buchanan made his first appearance on the First-Team All-Conference in 2025. Buchanan's 1,123 receiving yards is tied for the best in FCS Football with Monmouth's Josh Derry. He is 17th in the nation with 66 receptions. With over 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons, Buchanan joins Brian Forster as the only Rams with multiple 1,000-yard seasons. The Providence, R.I. native has caught six touchdowns this year and has five games with 100 or more receiving yards. 

Finer became the first Rhode Island tight end in program history on the All-CAA First-Team. The Rams have not had a tight end earn First-Team All-Conference honors since Darren Rizzi was on the All-Yankee Conference First-Team in 1992. The Kennesaw State transfer carved out a comfortable role in the Rams offense. He tallied 407 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Finer's best game this season was a two-touchdown performance at UAlbany helping Rhode Island post 50 plus points for the first time since 2005.

Johnson has anchored the CAA's best pass defense. With 11 pass breakups this season, Johnson is one breakup away from tying the program record (12) in a single season. The only other Rams to notch 12 breakups in a single season are Jim Robertson (1981), Rhode Island Athletics Hall of Famer Kevin Smith (1988), and Jordan Jones (2022). Johnson has a pair of interceptions and 44 tackles this season. 

Temple transfer Littleton, Jr. has gained 1,095 yards on the ground this season en route to a Second-Team nod. That rushing total is ninth-most in a single season in program history. His 11 rushing touchdowns is two shy of the program record 13 touchdowns set by Ja'Den McKenzie in 2023. On Nov. 15, Littleton, Jr. rushed for 202 yards against Maine. It was Rhode Island's first individual 200-yard rushing performance since Lyle McCombs rushed for 202 in 2014. 

Rhody's passing game has thrown for 3,386 yards, the fourth most in program history in a single season. Gaines III has been a critical part to the Rams passing attack. Gaines III set career highs in almost every statistical category. Gaines III has caught 56 passes for 873 yards and four touchdowns. All are career highs. 

Rhode Island's offensive line has paved the way to back-to-back seasons with 1,000-yard rushers. The Rams three All-Conference lineman, Alexander, Bethea, and Smith have been cornerstones of the front five. Bethea has started a team-best 37 straight games. Alexander has made 14 consecutive starts. Smith has started every game this season. Farrell's passing success and Littleton, Jr.'s rushing totals are a credit to the Rams consistency up front. 

Rhode Island's linebacker core has been a critical part to the Rams success. Davy and Meus have made significant impacts in their second years with the program. Davy is second on the team in tackles (92), tackles for loss (12), and sacks (6). He recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown in Rhody's win over New Hampshire. Meus is first on the team with 97 tackles, third on the team with five sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. His eye-popping 19 tackles at FBS Western Michigan is tied for fifth most in a game in program history. 

With 24 tackles in 2024, Mankins has doubled his production in 2025. He has 53 tackles, five tackles for loss, and four sacks. The North Attleboro, Mass. native's best game of the season was at UAlbany. He recorded his first career game with two sacks. 

Buxton has started 21 straight games for the Rams dating back to 2024. He is one of four offensive linemen to start 12 or more straight games for Rhode Island. DePina-Gray has started every game this season for Rhode Island. The Pawtucket, R.I. native has 30 tackles and an interception for the CAA's top defense. White has been a consistent threat for Rhode Island all season. His 54-yard field goal against Bryant is the longest in school history. He also hit the program's second longest; a 52-yarder against Elon. His 85 points during the regular season was most by a kicker in program history. 

Rhode Island is back in action on Saturday, Nov. 29 when it hosts Central Connecticut at Meade Stadium in the opening round of the NCAA FCS Playoff. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. and will air on ESPN+.

2025 CAA FOOTBALL POSTSEASON AWARDS
Offensive Player of the Year: Rodney Nelson, Monmouth
Defensive Player of the Year: A.J. Pena, Rhode Island
Special Teams Player of the Year: Ja'briel Mace, Villanova
Coach of the Year: Jim Fleming, Rhode Island
Co-Offensive Rookies of the Year: Landen Clark, Elon and Andrew Indorf, Towson
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Lamont Lester, Jr., Monmouth