KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island Football welcomed 20 newcomers including five incoming freshman and 15 transfers on National Signing Day, the program announced Wednesday afternoon. The Rams previously added three freshman on Dec. 3, 2025 on Early Signing Day. 
 

---

Incoming Freshman Who Signed on Wednesday, Feb. 4

Tate Finer (film)
Linebacker | 6-1, 215 | River Ridge High School | Tampa, Fla. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Mike Flanagan

Finer comes to Rhode Island from River Ridge High School in Florida, where he was an athletic and physical presence on defense for the Knights. He earned First Team All-SAC honors as a linebacker and is the brother of former Ram Conner Finer.

Aldarius Johnson, Jr. (film)
Defensive Back | 6-2, 165 | American Heritage High School | Miami, Fla. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Mike Flanagan & Brandon Holt

Prior to coming to Rhode Island, Johnson, Jr. played at American Heritage High School in Florida, where he developed into an elite and versatile defensive back capable of playing every position in the secondary. With a long frame, he excels in both zone and man coverage schemes. Johnson, Jr. was rated a four-star prospect and held multiple Power Four offers throughout the recruiting process.

Elias Murray (film)
Defensive Tackle | 6-1, 285 | Archbishop Stepinac School (N.Y.) | Stamford, Conn. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Chris Lorenti & Ryan McCormack

Murray played at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y. An explosive and fast defensive tackle, he comes off the ball with elite speed and power. A multi-sport athlete and high academic honor student, Murray earned postseason recognition as the Joseph R. Riverso Lineman of the Year.

John Rabet (film)
Defensive End / Outside Linebacker | 6-3, 255 | St. Thomas Moore School (Conn.) | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 
Recruiting Coach(es): Chris Lorenti & Troy Gilmer 

Rabet prepped at St. Thomas Moore School in Connecticut as a powerful edge defender with size and speed. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, he adds an international presence to the roster.

Tristan Washington (film)
Safety | 6-1, 205 | Cheshire Academy | Cheshire, Conn. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Henry Yianakopolos 

Prior to coming to Rhode Island, Washington played at Cheshire Academy in Connecticut. He earned first-team all-league and All-NEPSAC honors and served as a two-year captain. Washington has a verified 4.4-second time in the 40-yard dash and is known for his elite closing speed.

Incoming Freshman Who Signed on Dec. 3, 2025

Will Matasavage (film)
Offensive Line | 6-7, 290 | Berkshire School | Boynton Beach, Fla.  
Recruiting Coach(es): Drake Jackson

Matasavage committed to Rhode Island out of the Berkshire School in Sheffeld, Massachusetts. He spent his post grad season at the Berkshire School and gave up zero sacks during the 2025 season. Matasavage helped lead the school to the Evergreen League Championship and the New England Championship. A native of Florida, Matasavage is a graduate of Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach. He choose Rhode Island out of 11 Division I offers.

Brayden Richardson (film)
Running Back | 6-0, 210 | Sleepy Hollow New High School | Ossining, N.Y. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Ryan McCormack

Richardson is a multi-sport athlete that has excelled on the gridiron and track. He is an All-State track and field athlete from the Empire State. The senior running back ranks amongst the top five in New York, according to MaxPreps, when it comes to rushing yardage. Richardson has rushed for 2,418 yards on 216 carries, averaged 215.5 yards per game and scored 36 rushing touchdowns. Additionally, Richardson has 42 total touchdowns in the 2025 season. 

Teddy Welch (film)
Offensive Line | 6-1, 285 | American Heritage School | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Recruiting Coach(es): Mike Flanagan

Welch is an explosive and powerful offensive lineman from American Heritage School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Welch was a three-time 4A Florida High School State Champion while at American Heritage School. Welch had elite academics while at American Heritage that paralleled his elite championship football accolades.

Student Athletes Who Transferred to Rhode Island

Jayden Bass (film)
Offensive Line | 6-6, 315 | Connecticut | Springfield, Mass. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Mike Flanagan

Bass played the 2024 and 2025 seasons at UConn after transferring from Syracuse. A three-star recruit by the 247Sports, he was rated the No. 8 prospect in Massachusetts by On3. He played at Springfield Central High School and was an all-state selection.

Toddrick Brewton (film)
Outside Linebacker | 6-5, 255 | Florida International | Miami, Fla. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Troy Gilmer

Brewton was a 2023 All-Conference USA Freshman Team selection and appeared in 16 games over two seasons at Florida International. He earned First Team All-State and All-Dade honors at Miami Northwestern High School.

Tyler Budge (film)
Quarterback | 6-3, 215 | Georgia Southern | Matthews, N.C.
Recruiting Coach(es): Tyler Loftus

Budge enrolled at Georgia Southern in spring 2024 after graduating early from Weddington High School in North Carolina. A two-time SCC Offensive Player of the Year, he led Weddington to the NCHSAA 4A state title as a senior and finished as the program's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.

Sean Byrd (film)
Wide Receiver | 6-4, 205 | Grand Valley State | Flint, Mich.
Recruiting Coach(es): Will Fleming

Byrd joins Rhode Island after two seasons Division II Grand Valley State. He appeared in 15 games over the course of the 2024 and 2025 seasons. A large and physical receiver, Sean combines size, speed and athleticism to create explosive plays.

Robby Chetirkin (film)
Offensive Line | 6-1, 300 | Shippensburg University | Wayne, N.J.
Recruiting Coach(es): Drake Jackson & Sebastian Delasoudas

After playing four seasons at Division II Shippensburg, Chetirkin joins Rhode Island for the 2026 season. Prior to Shippensburg, he played at Wayne Valley High School in New Jersey, where he was a two-time All–North Jersey Super Football Conference selection, earned All-County honors, and served as a team captain.

Oumar Conde (film)
Defensive Tackle | 6-3, 275 | Central Michigan | Bronx, N.Y. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Marcell Lazard

Conde comes to Rhode Island from Central Michigan, where he appeared in five games on the defensive line. He previously posted 14 sacks and 23 tackles for loss at Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy. He was rated a three-star recruit by ESPN and the No. 8 player in New York.

Dominic Deluca
Tight End | 6-6, 250 | Wake Forest | Greenwich, Conn. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Mike Flanagan

Deluca comes to Rhode Island from Wake Forest, where he appeared in 13 games over two seasons. He played at the Hun School of Princeton after attending Greenwich High School in Connecticut, earning multiple all-conference and all-state honors. His uncle, Tony Deluca '84, was. Kodak All-American selection for Rhode Island and played in the NFL.

Felix Doege (film)
Offensive Line | 6-4, 300 | Appalachian State | Bavaria, Germany 
Recruiting Coach(es): Drake Jackson & Sebastian Delasoudas

Doege enrolled early at Appalachian State in spring 2024. He retained his redshirt for 2024 and appeared in one game during the 2025 season. He played at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Georgia on a state runner-up team and helped power an offense that averaged more than 40 points per game.

Tyson Grimm (film)
Safety | 6-1, 215 | Dartmouth | Akron, Ohio
Recruiting Coach(es): Henry Yianakopolos 

Grimm played at Dartmouth and appeared in 32 games over four seasons while totaling 109 tackles, including 57 solo stops, two interceptions, and 6.5 tackles for loss. Before Dartmouth, Grimm played at Archbishop Hoban High School, where he was an all-state selection and team captain.

CJ Hawkins (film)
Tight End | 6-7, 235 | Stanford | Tampa, Fla. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Mike Flanagan

A graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining, Hawkins played at Stanford where he appeared in seven games as a true freshman in 2022. Out of Berkeley Prep in Florida, he was a four-star recruit by ESPN. He helped lead Berkeley Prep to its first state championship game.

Jadon Lafontant (film)
Offensive Line | 6-4, 320 | Boston College | Straford, Conn.
Recruiting Coach(es): Drake Jackson

Lafontant previously attended Boston College. He saw action in one game during the 2025 season. He played high school football at Brunswick School and was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports and ranked as the No. 11 player in Connecticut.

Marvin Landy (film)
Tight End | 6-3, 245 | Jackson State | Lankland, Fla. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Mike Flanagan & Ryan McCormack 

Landy comes to Rhode Island from Jackson State, where he was a 2025 preseason First Team All-SWAC selection and a preseason HBCU All-American. He helped lead the Tigers to the 2024 HBCU national championship and finished the season with 17 catches for 235 yards and three touchdowns.

Dane Picariello (film)
Outside Linebacker | 6-3, 250 | Colgate University | Bristol, Pa. 
Recruiting Coach(es): Troy Gilmer 

Picariello led Colgate in tackles and quarterback hurries in 2025 and ranked ninth in the Patriot League in tackles per game. He appeared in 32 games with 24 starts. He played at St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia, earning first-team All–Catholic League and second-team all-state honors.

Jack Scala (film)
Offensive Line | 6-5, 315 | Old Dominion | Frisco, Texas
Recruiting Coach(es): Mike Flanagan

Scala previously attended Old Dominion. He saw action in one game during the 2025 season. Jack played at Frisco High School in Texas, where he was a two-year starter, and is originally from Sag Harbor, N.Y.

Joshua Schuetzmann (film)
Offensive Line | 6-7, 315 | Old Dominion | Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Recruiting Coach(es): Mike Flanagan & Ryan McCormack 

Schuetzmann previously attended Old Dominion. He enrolled in fall 2024 and redshirted during the 2024 season. A three-star recruit by 247Sports and the No. 11 player in Massachusetts, Joshua played at Williston Northampton School and is originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada.