KINGSTON, R.I. - Receiver Marquis Buchanan and linebacker A.J. Pena were both named First Team All-American by both Stats Perform and the Associated Press, both publications announced.

It is the first time since 1985 that Rhode Island has had multiple First Team selections from the Associated Press. Rhode Island had a program-best three AP First Team All-Americans in 1985. Tom Ehrhardt, Brian Forster, and Bob White all received the recognition that season.

Rhode Island had multiple Stats Perform First Team All-Americans for the first time in program history. 

Buchanan and Pena highlight a total of seven honors Rhode Island received across both teams. Defensive back Ayinde Johnson was named a Third Team All-American and offensive lineman Damon McMillian, Jr. was named a Freshman All-American, both by Stats Perform. Tight end Connor Finer earned an Honorable Mention All-American nod by the AP. 

Buchanan, a Stats Perform Second Team All-American in 2024, earned his first, First-Team honors in 2025. He recorded 1,337 receiving yards in 2025, the most in FCS Football and third most in a single season in team history. The Providence, R.I. native had the fifth most receptions in a single season in Rhode Island Football history with 78. Buchanan had eight touchdown catches in his 2025 campaign and earned All-CAA First-Team and All-New England honors.

This is the second consecutive season that Pena was named a First-Team All-American honoree from both the AP and Stats Perform. Pena completed the season with 89 tackles. He recorded team-bests in tackles for loss (21) and sacks (11).  Pena's 11 sacks are tied for eighth most in a single season in program history, and his 21 tackles for loss are tied for third best in program history. Pena was named 2025 CAA Defensive Player of the Year. 

Johnson enjoyed a historic season for Rhode Island. His 13 pass breakups this season is the most in a single season in program history and tied for third-most in the FCS this season. The senior had 70 tackles and two interceptions in 2025. 

McMillian, Jr. started all 14 games for Rhode Island this season at right guard. He helped lead a Rhode Island offense that recorded 6,023 total yards, just 14 yards short of the program record for yards in a season (6,037 yards in 1985). 

Rhode Island's first, First Team All-Conference tight end since Darren Rizzi in 1992, Finer started 13 of 14 games at tight end for the Rams with 42 receptions, 471 yards, and four touchdowns. 

Rhode Island won the outright CAA Football title in 2025 and advanced to the second round of the FCS Championship. It was the Rams first outright conference championship since 1985. Rhode Island quest for a third-straight CAA title begins on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026 at Merrimack in North Andover, Mass. 

Rhode Island Associated Press All-Americans 
Tom Ehrhardt - First Team (1984)
Brian Forster - First Team (1985)
Tom Erhardt - First Team (1985)
Brian Forster - First Team (1985)
Bob White - First Team (1985)
Mike Cassidy - Honorable Mention (1985)
Darren Rizzi - First Team (1992)
Dustin Bayer - Third Team (2004)
Kyle Murphy - Second Team (2019)
Aaron Parker - Second Team (2019)
Jordan Jones - Second Team (2021)
A.J. Pena - First Team (2024)
Malik Grant - Honorable Mention (2024)
Marquis Buchanan - First Team (2025)
A.J. Pena - First Team (2025)
Connor Finer - Honorable Mention (2025)

Rhode Island Stats Perform All-Americans
Kyle Murphy - First Team (2019)
Aaron Parker - Second Team (2019)
Joey Kenny - Third Team (2021)
Nick Correia - Third Team (2022)
A.J. Pena - First Team (2024)
Marquis Buchanan - Second Team (2024)
Marquis Buchanan - First Team (2025)
A.J. Pena - First Team (2025)
Ayinde Johnson - Third Team (2025)
Damon McMillian, Jr. - Freshman Team (2025)