KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island Football added 25 more players to its 2025 roster on Wednesday afternoon, signing 15 true freshmen and nine transfers via National Letter of Intent.
 
The Rams' February signing class includes 13 offensive players, 11 additions to the defensive side of the ball and one special teams add. Position-wise, URI will get six offensive linemen, five linebackers, four defensive linemen, four tight ends, two wide receivers, two defensive backs, one running back and one kicker. 
 
Rhody's recent additions bring the total number of signees to 31, as the team announced a six-member class earlier this winter. 
 
"We are encouraged by both the size and depth of this class as we prepare to reload on the heels of what was certainly a historic season for Rhode Island Football," head coach Jim Fleming said. "Winning a CAA Football Championship has only left our guys hungry for more and we are thrilled at the prospect of adding this class, made up of players that we certainly feel will help us reach that next level. Their achievements on the gridiron and in the classroom, as well as how they conduct themselves as young men, indicate to me that they already understand what our brand of football is about and I am excited to see them compete for roles." 
 
Stephen Antonucci, Jr.
Offensive Line
Cranston, R.I. | Bishop Hendricken
6-3 | 285
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video
Antonucci, Jr. was a state champion and First Team All-State offensive lineman for the same Bishop Hendricken Hawks that produced Associate Head Coach Mike Flanagan. As a senior, he made great strides in his ability to use his size to open holes for the Hawks' ground game. After fielding numerous offers from Power 5 institutions, Antonucci, Jr. chose to take his talents to his state university where he is sure to compete for an impactful role. 
 
Artin Balidemaj
Defensive Line 
West Harrison, N.Y. | Harrison
6-2 | 250
Lead Recruiter: Chris Lorenti | Video
Balidemaj was a highly decorated defensive lineman at Harrison High School, leading the team's defensive statistics in nearly every category. The First Team All-State honoree was twice named the league's Defensive Lineman of the Year and earned All-County and All-Section honors as well. As a senior, he recorded 75 tackles, seven sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 30 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. A three-year starter for the Harrison football team, Balidemaj is also a member of the basketball team. 
 
Aaris Bethea
Defensive Line
Brooklyn, N.Y. | Rutgers
6-2 | 258
Lead Recruiter: Chris Lorenti 
A top-five prospect out of New York according to ESPN.com, Bethea redshirted in his true freshman season at Rutgers. He originally joined the Scarlet Knights following a decorated career with Danny Landberg's Erasmus Hall team. Bethea helped the Dutchmen win four straight PSAL AAA City Championships, highlighted by an 11-2 record in a senior season that saw him record 39 tackles and 18 tackles for loss. With his size and strength, Bethea was a top-100 defensive tackle in the country according to 247Sports and brings a lot of upside to Kingston, where is currently enrolled for the spring semester. 
 
John Boyles
Outside Linebacker
Traverse City, Mich. | Wofford
6-3 | 240
Lead Recruiter: Troy Gilmer 
Boyles should be an immediate impact player for the Rams, helping fill some gaps at linebacker. Over the course of five seasons at Wofford, he appeared in 34 games while working his way up the depth chart. The Michigan native started all 12 of the Terriers' games in 2024, making 35 tackles with five tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble. Boyles also demonstrated his ability to drop into pass coverage during his final season at Wofford, adding four pass breakups and a QB hurry.  A multi-sport athlete out of Episcopal High School, he also lettered in basketball and lacrosse. 
 
Jermel Bynum
Defensive Back
Norwalk, Conn. | McMahon 
5-10 | 175
Lead Recruiter : Chris Lorenti | Video
With a 4.4 40-yard dash, Bynum will bring quick feet and a strong tackling ability to the Rhody secondary. The McMahon product totaled nearly 100 stops in his high school career while racking up 4.5 sacks and four interceptions. His four total picks were returned for 116 yards, proving his awareness of the field. An All-CIAC honoree, Bynum also served as a team captain as a senior. 
 
Ethan Charnley
Offensive Line
Warwick, R.I. | Bishop Hendricken
6-3 | 275
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video
A starter on the interior of the offensive line, Charnley was an Academic All-League selection at Bishop Hendricken and earned the team's Golden Dozen Award for his achievements in the classroom. A talented multi-sport athlete, he is also a member of the Hendricken lacrosse program and was the 2022 Rhode Island Freshman State Champion in the hammer throw. 
 
Will Dixon
Tight End
Hillsborough, N.J. | West Virginia
6-5 | 231
Lead Recruiter: Tyler Loftus 
Dixon, who is already enrolled at URI for the spring semester, comes to the Rams after helping lead the West Virginia Mountaineers to a 2024 Frisco Bowl appearance. The New Jersey native appeared in seven games over two seasons, earning Academic All-Big 12 Second Team honors in 2023. As a senior at Hillsborough High, he powered the team to a 13-0 record and a New Jersey South Group V state title. Standing at 6-5, he will provide a sizable target to the tight ends group. 
 
Connor Finer
Tight End
New Port Richey, Fla. | Kennesaw State
6-2 | 215
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan 
With a similar build to former tight end/wide receiver Tommy Smith, Finer should prove to be a versatile weapon for the Rhody offense. The Florida demonstrated his ability to both run routes and impact special teams in four seasons at Kennesaw State, where he appeared in 31 games. Finer had eight career catches for 114 yards, three tackles and a pair of kick returns as an Owl. He appeared on both sides of the ball at River Ride High School, further demonstrating his natural athletic abilities. Finer is already on campus with the Rams. 
 
Griffin Kleinknecht
Offensive Line
Middletown, R.I. | Middletown
6-3 | 285
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video
Another Ocean State product, Kleinknecht was a four-year starter on the offensive line for the Middletown Islanders. He had a highly-decorated career as a three-time First Team All-Division honoree and two-time First Team All-State selection. Kleinknecht was twice named the Rhode Island Lineman of the Year and also earned All-Academic accolades all four years. He should provide the Rams some talented depth at center and could also flex to other areas of the offensive line as he learns the Rhody system. 
 
Kamden Laudenslager
Linebacker
Harrisburg, Pa. | McDonogh School
6-3 | 215
Lead Recruiter: Chris Lorenti | Video
Laudenslager was a three-time MIAA All-Conference player, earning accolades as both a linebacker and defensive end. Chosen as a team captain, he had 101 tackles, three sacks and an interception in his senior campaign. A three-star recruit according to 247Sports, Laudenslager fielded numerous offers from FBS programs, including Boston College, Duke, Maryland, Minnesota and North Carolina. With his size and speed, he has the tools to carve out an immediate role in the linebacker group. 
 
Antwain Littleton II
Running Back
Greenbelt, Md. | Temple/Maryland
6-1 | 240
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan 
A four-star recruit and the former top-ranked running back out of Washington, D.C., Littleton II should give Rhody fans another high-impact ball carrier to cheer for a'la Ja'Den McKenzie and Malik Grant, who also spent their graduate seasons with the Rams. A sizeable addition to the ground game, he has four years of experience at the FBS level having spent the 2021-23 seasons at Maryland before playing at Temple in 2024. His best showing during the spread was a 2022 campaign that saw him score in six-straight games, the longest streak by any Terp since 2005-06. Littleton II has 1,057 career rushing yards to go along with 11 total touchdowns. He is already on campus for the spring semester. 
 
Ian MacKinnon
Outside Linebacker
San Antonio, Texas | Brandeis
6-4 | 205
Lead Recruiter: Jim Fleming | Video 
A high-achiever academically with a 3.7 GPA, Mackinnon has already been accepted into Rhode Island's College of Health and Science with plans to study kinesiology. As a senior at Brandeis, he recorded 43 tackles with four sacks, nine quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. He also broke up four passes, two of which led to interceptions by his teammates. 
 
Dominic Mazza
Kicker
Providence, R.I. | Classical
5-8 | 145
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video
The sky is the limit for Mazza, who tied the Rhode Island state record for kicking points in a single season with 79 in 2024. The Classical product only started kicking as a junior, having previously been a Second Team All-State soccer player. Mazza was also the golf team's MVP and earned Second Team All-Division III honors as a baseball player. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, he is an honor roll student with a 1300 SAT. 
 
Jeremy Redd
Offensive Line
Providence, R.I. | Bishop Hendricken
6-5 | 280
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video
Redd lined up on both sides of the ball for Bishop Hendricken, seeing time at both offensive and defensive tackle. Able to deadlift 495 lbs. and bench 315 lbs., Redd was a strong All-State player for the Hawks with speed that helped disrupt plays before they began. In addition to his 6-5 frame, Redd's wingspan stretches 6-10. 

Nick Reimer
Offensive Line
Allentown, Pa. | Bowling Green/Merrimack
6-6 | 310
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan
Reimer played in 34 games at Merrimack (2020-23) before spending the 2024 season at Bowling Green, where he appeared in four contests. Reimer earned a starting job for the Falcons for the first few games of the year before going down with an injury. Big-bodied and experienced at the tackle position, Reimer will provide necessary depth to the Rhody trenches. During his time at Merrimack, he earned First Team All-NEC honors and should be in a position to continue to receive recognition with the Rams. 
 
Elijah Rich
Outside Linebacker 
Tampa, Fla. | Gaither
6-3 | 235
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video
A team captain for Gaither High School, Rich brings size and speed to the linebacker position with a 4.63 40-yard dash and a 405-lb. squat. Lauded for his high motor and relentless pursuit, he helped lead his team to a perfect record in District play as a senior. With a 3.3 GPA, Rich has a high football IQ to go along with his speed off the edge. As the Rams look for a new presence in the pass rushing game, Rich could certainly be in the mix. 
 
Hunter Robbins
Defensive Line
Mechanicsville, Va. | VMI
6-2 | 275
Lead Recruiter: Marcell Lazard 
Robbins earned an undergraduate degree from the Virginia Military Institute before enrolling at URI for the spring semester. While refining his leadership skills in his time with the Keydets, Robbins appeared in 25 games over three seasons. He recorded 35 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks on the defensive line. The time he spent at a military school will certainly translate over to the Rams' program, as Robbins offers strong work ethic and discipline. 
 
Mekhi Rossignol
Wide Receiver 
Union, N.J. | St. Joseph Regional
6-0 | 175
Lead Recruiter: Tyler Loftus | Video
A two-star receiver out of St. Joseph Regional, Rossignol chose Rhode Island over numerous FBS offers. With a 4.50 40-yard dash, Rossignol has the ability to outrun coverage and is a valuable addition to an already-talented wide receiver corps at URI. A talented route runner, Rossignol used his abilities to score eight total touchdowns as a senior, catching 26 passes for 542 yards (49.3/game). 
 
Christian Smith
Offensive Line
Rumson, N.J. | Merrimack
6-2 | 270
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan 
Smith appeared in all but three games in his tenure at Merrimack (2022-24), working his way up to a starter at the guard position. In his final season with the Warriors, he blocked for a unit that had the 12th-best red zone offense in the nation. Smith's experience and age will provide necessary depth for the Rams' offensive line, which had first-year starters at all but one position in 2024. The Rumson-Fair Haven product is also able to fill in on special teams as needed, having been listed as a long snapper at Merrimack. 
 
Matt Smith
Tight End
Needham, Mass. | UMass/Duke
6-5 | 245
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan 
A three-star prospect out of Needham, Smith spent four years at Duke (2019-22) before transferring to Massachusetts (2023-24). He adds a veteran presence to the position, having appeared in nearly 30 career games between his previous institutions. No stranger to team success, Smith was an All-State selection at both tight end and wide receiver in high school and led his squad a Bay State Conference championship. He is enrolled at Rhody for the spring semester. 
 
Evan Spencer
Tight End
Cumberland, R.I. | Cumberland
6-0 | 205
Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video
Spencer continues the Rams' tradition of bringing in the Rhode Island Gatorade Player of the Year, having earned the award in 2024. He joins wide receiver Marquis Buchanan ('22) and linebacker Moses Meus ('23) in achieving the feat. Though recruited to URI as a tight end, Spencer excelled at the quarterback position for the Clippers, passing for 1,117 yards with eight touchdowns as a senior while also rushing for 1,126 yards with 14 scores. On defense, he recorded 12 tackles and forced a fumble. Off the field, he has volunteered with the Adoption RI Duffle Bag Dash. 
 
Timoy Stitchell, Jr.
Defensive Back
Providence, R.I. | LaSalle Academy
6-1 | 165
Lead Recruiter: John Fils-Aime | Video
Stitchell, Jr. used his athleticism and speed to make plays at both wide receiver and safety for LaSalle Academy. As a senior, he hauled in 33 catches for 502 yards while securing five touchdowns as part of a First Team All-State campaign. Stitchell, Jr. also uses his abilities as a point guard for LaSalle's top-ranked basketball program.
 
Sahnai Swain-Price
Defensive Line
Boston, Mass. | UMass
6-1 | 290
Lead Recruiter: Marcell Lazard 
Swain-Price has athleticism to go along with his size, having played as a tight end for Middlesex (HS) before making the switch to defensive end. After redshirting in 2023, he appeared in eight games for Massachusetts in 2024, finishing with seven tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack. Swain-Price has three brothers who also played college football (UMass, Southern Connecticut State, Assumption). Though he has played at the end of the defensive line more recently, it's possible that he will see time at nose tackle with the graduation of former team captain/Third Team All-CAA Football player Westley Neal, Jr. Swain-Price is already enrolled at Rhode Island for the spring semester.
 
Alex Villa
Outside Linebacker
Londonderry, N.H. | Londonderry
6-4 | 215
Lead Recruiter: Henry Yianakopolos | Video
An outgoing and high-energy player, Villa was one of the most disruptive defensive players in the state of New Hampshire in 2024. Known for his ability to fly around and hit hard, he started in 26 games for Londonderry and was a finalist for the state's Defensive Player of the Year. An All-State player, Villa helped lead his team to a runner-up finish at the state championship. He also managed to earn a spot on the academic honor roll while balancing responsibilities as a three-sport athlete. 
 
Reece Williams
Wide Receiver
Hanover, Md. | St. John's (DC)
5-8 | 155
Lead Recruiter: Dillon Costello | Video
Named his team's offensive MVP as a senior, Williams is an athletic playmaker who can make an impact out of the backfield as a running back and out wide as a receiver. The team's leader in receiving yards (388), catches (18) and touchdowns (five) in 2024, Williams garnered First Team All-WCAC honors to cap off his career. A talented returner, he also used his speed as a key member of special teams. Williams is a gifted athlete with a 41.2-inch vertical jump and a 4.42 40-yard dash.