KINGSTON, R.I. - Experience and continuity headline Rhode Island's defensive front entering the 2026 season, as the Rams return three starters from a unit that helped anchor the defense a year ago.

The group is led by 2025 team captain Case Mankins (North Attleboro, Mass.), who is coming off a career year that included All-CAA Football Third Team honors. Mankins recorded 55 tackles last season, including five tackles for loss and four sacks. His veteran leadership has been hard to miss throughout training camp, where he has remained a vocal presence for a Rhode Island team in pursuit of its third straight CAA Football title.

Another vocal leader throughout camp has been Patrick Conserve (Cumberland, R.I.), who started all 14 games along the defensive line last season. Entering his fourth year with the Rams, Conserve has steadily earned his role on the defensive front. After not appearing in a game as a freshman in 2023, he made two appearances in 2024 before breaking into the starting lineup last fall. Conserve finished the 2025 campaign with 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Joining Conserve as a returning starter is fellow Rhode Island native Tosin Akinsulire (Providence, R.I.). At 6-foot-4, Akinsulire carved out a significant role in Rhode Island's rush defense and made 10 starts last season, including each of the final six games. His emergence in 2025 marked a significant step forward after he did not appear in a game from 2022 through 2024.

Mankins, Conserve and Akinsulire have continued to run with the first-team defense throughout training camp, providing continuity up front. Behind the veteran trio, several returning reserves have helped build needed depth along the defensive line.

Second-year Ram Artin Bailidemaj (West Harrison, N.Y.) is expected to see time within the rotation this fall, while Kareem Wilson, Jr. (Miami, Fla.), and Sahnai Swain-Price (Boston, Mass.) provide additional depth. Wilson and Swain-Price have both been limited by injuries during camp, with Wilson continuing to work his way back from a season-ending injury suffered last season.

Rhode Island also added a pair of experienced defensive linemen in Oumar Conde (Bronx, N.Y.) and Dylan Yang (Suffern, N.Y.).

Conde joins the Rams after spending the previous four seasons at Central Michigan. At 6-foot-3, he adds additional size and experience to the Rhode Island front. Yang arrives in Kingston after spending four seasons at Yale. He appeared in 17 games over his final two seasons with the Bulldogs, recording 38 tackles and nine tackles for loss during that stretch. Both Yang and Conde have seen second-team reps throughout training camp and will add experience to an already veteran-heavy group.

With three starters back, experienced transfers joining the rotation and several returning players pushing for larger roles, Rhode Island enters the season with both continuity and depth along its defensive front. 

Inside the Position Room is a training camp series highlighting each Rhode Island Football position group leading up to the 2026 season. Follow along at GoRhody.com as the Rams continue preparations for the upcoming season.