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Football

Football Signs Over 30 New Players for 2025

KINGSTON, R.I. - Head Rhode Island Football Coach Jim Fleming added 31 new players across the two signing periods in December and February. 

The Rams added six players at the end of 2024 before announcing the addition of 25 more on Wednesday afternoon. The squad will join a program that is coming off a 2024 CAA Football championship title, as well as the first NCAA FCS Playoff appearance in 39 years. 

Rhody's full signing class is listed below. Season tickets for the 2025 campaign, which begins at home on Aug. 29, are available for purchase by clicking HERE or by calling the ticket office at 401-874-7267. 

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. 

Terrence Campbell
Running Back
Providence, R.I. | La Salle Academy
6-1 | 220
Four years of eligibility | Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video

A local product, Campbell was Rhode Island's Defensive/Special Teams Player of the Year as a junior. A dual threat at both running back and linebacker, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards and had more than 110 tackles for La Salle Academy, powering the team to the semifinals of the Division I playoffs. Campbell chose his state's flagship university over four Power 5 offers.
 
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. 

Jamal Davis, Jr.
Defensive Back
Danville, N.H. | St. Thomas More (CT)
6-0 | 200
Four years of eligibility | Lead Recruiter: Chris Lorenti | Video

A team captain and three-year starter for St. Thomas More, Davis, Jr. will bring speed and strong football IQ to the Rhody secondary. The New Hampshire native had the fourth-highest vertical jump at an Under Armour Next Camp earlier this year and picked Rhode Island out of numerous other offers, including one from CAA Football foe New Hampshire. 
 
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. 

Liam Hubacz
Tight End
Brookfield, Mass. | Tabor Academy
6-5 | 230
Four years of eligibility | Lead Recruiter: Tyler Loftus | Video

A solid blocker and talented receiver, Hubacz offers size and leadership experience to the Rams' offense. The Tabor Academy team captain also has speed, as he is able to accelerate his 6-5 frame faster than 20 mph. A versatile player, Hubacz also has the ability to line up on the defensive side of the ball having made a handful of appearances at defensive end for the Seawolves. 

Liam Kennett
Punter/Kicker
North Kingstown, R.I. | North Kingstown
6-5 | 215
Four years of eligibility | Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video

An All-State player for North Kingstown high school, which produced current team captain Gabe Sloat, Kennett excels at both the kicker and punter position. As a senior, he went 31-of-32 on PATs and made all three of his field goal attempts with a long of 42 yards. A 4.5-star recruit, he will be a sizable addition to Rhode Island's special teams unit. 
 
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. 

Dayen Marouf-Araibi
Offensive Line
Plantation, Fla. | American Heritage HS
6-3 | 290
Four years of eligibility | Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video

A three-star recruit out of American Heritage High School, Marouf-Araibi will bring both size and athleticism to the Rhody trenches as he excels on both the gridiron and the wrestling mat. He had nearly a dozen Division I offers on the table ahead of his signing before electing to join the Rams. As a senior, he has steered his team to a regional championship title. 
 
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. 

Latavious "Tay" Welch
Running Back
Cocoa, Fla. | Eau Gallie HS
5-8 | 180
Four years of eligibility | Lead Recruiter: Mike Flanagan | Video

A highly-recruited running back out of the same high school that produced wide receiver Alvarez Baker and defensive back Curlie Spencer, Welch chose Rhode Island over more than 15 Division I offers. The all-time rushing touchdown leader for Eau Gallie, Welch's dynamic play earned him FACA 3A District 8 All-Star status his senior season. He has led his team to the Class 3A state final four this year behind 958 yards and nine touchdowns. 
 
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. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Alvarez Baker

#85 Alvarez Baker

WR
5' 9"
Redshirt Freshman
Marquis Buchanan

#1 Marquis Buchanan

WR
6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
Moses Meus

#53 Moses Meus

LB
6' 3"
Redshirt Freshman
Westley Neal, Jr.

#99 Westley Neal, Jr.

DL
6' 0"
Senior
Gabe Sloat

#5 Gabe Sloat

RB
6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
Tommy Smith

#81 Tommy Smith

WR
6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
Curlie Spencer

#37 Curlie Spencer

DB
5' 11"
Redshirt Freshman
Malik Grant

#4 Malik Grant

RB
5' 9"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Alvarez Baker

#85 Alvarez Baker

5' 9"
Redshirt Freshman
WR
Marquis Buchanan

#1 Marquis Buchanan

6' 4"
Redshirt Sophomore
WR
Moses Meus

#53 Moses Meus

6' 3"
Redshirt Freshman
LB
Westley Neal, Jr.

#99 Westley Neal, Jr.

6' 0"
Senior
DL
Gabe Sloat

#5 Gabe Sloat

6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
RB
Tommy Smith

#81 Tommy Smith

6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
WR
Curlie Spencer

#37 Curlie Spencer

5' 11"
Redshirt Freshman
DB
Malik Grant

#4 Malik Grant

5' 9"
Graduate Student
RB