KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island's special teams unit will have a new look this year, with plenty of spots up for grabs heading into preseason camp. 

Junior Ty Groff is the only returner with significant playing time, having been the Rams' top placekicker over the last two seasons. The New Canaan, Conn. native has played in all 24 games since arriving on campus, working his way into the Rhody record book where he has the sixth-most career points by kicking (136). 

Special Teams Coordinator Troy Gilmer also provides some stability to the group, entering his 12th season with the Rams in 2025. Last year, URI finished in the nation's top 25 in blocked kicks (No. 22), kick return defense (No. 22) and blocked punts (No. 25) and will look to provide similar coverage this fall. 

Notable departures from the group include Donato Crisanti (graduated), punt returner Gabe Sloat (punt returner), Deon Silas (kick returner), punter Devin Walter (transfer portal) and kicker Will Johnson (transfer portal). 

Long Snappers
For the first time since 2019, Rhode Island will have a new long snapper as Donato Crisanti exhausted his eligibility in 2024. Returning to URI for his redshirt freshman season is Dillon Keough, who trained with Crisanti throughout his true freshman campaign. Also in the mix is graduate transfer Christian Smith, who was an offensive lineman and long snapper at Merrimack College from 2022-24. 

Punters
With former punters Dylan Shank (graduated) and Devin Walter (transfer portal) moving on from the program, Rhody will have three legs competing for a wide-open spot during preseason camp. Transfers James Allen (Georgia State) and Randy Leavitt (Louisiana Tech/Stonehill) have collegiate experience to their credit, while Liam Kennett has much to prove as a true freshman out of North Kingstown. 

A 2024 All-Sun Belt Second Team honoree, Allen punted 51 times for 2,277 yards last season. The Sun Belt leader with a 44.9-yard average punt (20th in the country), he pinned 11 of his kicks inside the 20. After winning the job for Stonehill as a true freshman in 2022, Leavitt accrued 1,332 yards on 37 punts. 

Southern California transfer Garth White could also compete for reps, having been listed as both a kicker and a punter on the Trojans' roster. At Ventura Community College, where he began his collegiate career, he averaged 37.6 yards on 16 punts. 

Kickers
In addition to White, true freshman Dominic Mazza will look to put the pressure on Groff during preseason camp. A local product out of Providence, Mazza comes to the Rams from Classical High School.  

Redshirt freshman Adam Okonowicz is a likely candidate to replace Will Johnson (transfer portal) at the kickoff position. He handled the responsibility in Johnson's one-game absence last season, averaging 61.4 yards on five kicks. In his second year on campus, he could also look to expand his role to place-kicking. 

Punt/Kickoff Returners
The graduation of former All-CAA Football player Gabe Sloat (punt return) and Deon Silas (kickoff return) have left openings heading into the 2025 campaign.