Courtesy of URI Athletics
KINGSTON, R.I- Rhode Island Football officially ushered in a new era on Wednesday announcing the addition of 20 newcomers to the program. This National Signing Day haul—comprised of five incoming freshmen and 15 impactful transfers—builds upon a foundation established earlier in the winter when the Rams secured three key signatures during the December early signing period.
Under the direction of head coach Jim Fleming, the program continues to bring in a mix of high-school developmental talent and veteran experience to maintain its recent standing in the CAA.
The Rams made a concerted effort to fortify the offensive line and skill positions. Early signee Will Matasavage, a 6’7″, 290-pound tackle from the Berkshire School, headlines the group after a 2025 season where he allowed zero sacks. He is joined by Teddy Welch, a three-time Florida state champion, and a trio of FBS transfers: Jayden Bass (UConn), Jadon Lafontant (Boston College), and the massive Joshua Schuetzmann (Old Dominion).
On the perimeter, Rhode Island added significant size with Sean Byrd, a 6’4″ transfer from Grand Valley State, and a trio of versatile tight ends led by Stanford transfer and former four-star recruit CJ Hawkins, alongside Dominic Deluca (Wake Forest) and Marvin Landy (Jackson State).
The backfield also received a massive boost from Brayden Richardson, an All-State track star from New York who arrives with staggering high school statistics. Richardson rushed for over 2,400 yards and accounted for 42 total touchdowns in his final prep season, ranking him among the elite prospects in the Northeast.
The defensive side of the ball features a blend of local standouts and international flair. Aldarius Johnson, Jr., a four-star defensive back from Miami’s American Heritage, chose the Rams over multiple Power Four offers, bringing elite length and coverage skills to the secondary. He is joined by safety Tristan Washington, a 4.4 speedster from Cheshire Academy. Up front, the Rams added explosive power in defensive tackle Elias Murray and the Canadian edge-rushing duo of John Rabet (Winnipeg) and Joshua Schuetzmann (Montreal).
The linebacker corps also sees a significant infusion of talent. Tate Finer, the brother of former Ram Conner Finer, brings a physical presence from Florida, while transfers Toddrick Brewton (FIU) and Dane Picariello (Colgate) provide proven production. Picariello specifically arrives in Kingston after leading Colgate in tackles and quarterback hurries last season.