RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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What makes a Player of the Year candidate? Do you focus on a player’s individual talents and accolades? Or what they mean to their team’s success?
It’s a difficult question, which is why we don’t want to pick the 2026 Providence Journal Preseason Football Player of the Year. Instead, we’ll come up with 19 candidates and leave the voting up the people we trust the most.
Our readers.
Yes, you read that right - we’re putting this responsibility in your hands. To vote for who you think should be the Providence Journal Preseason Football Player of the Year, check out the 19 nominees’ bios, then cast your vote at the bottom of the page.
Readers can vote as many times as they’d like every day from when the poll opens until when the poll closes on Saturday night at 11:59 p.m.
How were the nominees selected?
There are plenty of talented players in the state, so keeping the list of nominees to sane amount proved to be difficult.
The list is made up of returning All-Staters, players with elite talent, players projected to have big seasons and players who are most important to their team’s success.
In football, this means a lot of quarterbacks and running backs. That’s the name of the game at every level of the sport – just ask NFL voters.
What does Player of the Year receive?
The prize is simple – it’s a big bucket of clout.
The award is designed to be an interactive way for the state’s most passionate football communities to show support for their local players. We want schools, teams and players to create social media campaigns to back their player and try to earn as many votes as possible. When a player wins, the community does as well - and that shows us which covers are truly passionate about high school football.
So now, there’s only one thing left to do – get out and start voting.
Preseason Player of the Year Nominees
Nick Andruchow, West Warwick
The Wizards aren’t going to try and hide their identity and Andruchow will help them define it fast. The running back is a bruiser who’s unafraid of contact and doubles as a heat-seeking missile on the defensive end. His talent is why West Warwick is a darkhorse in D-II this fall.
Ethan Archambeault, Johnston
After a terrific freshman season, sky is the limit for Archambeault. He’ll have a new line and group of receivers to work with, but Archambeault has the poise and confidence to make it work. The Panthers are a promising bunch and Archambeault will be crucial to their success.
Gavin Boylan, Cranston East
Boylan stepped up in big way last fall as a dual-threat quarterback and while the season didn’t end the Thunderbolts wanted, this season could be different. With added weapons at receiver, Boylan might put up silly stats as Cranston East makes its way through D-III.
Kyle Blakely, Smithfield
This fall was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Sentinels, but with Blakely back and a new coach that wants to play to his strengths, this year could be about a title. Blakely is a terrific dual-threat QB and with his experience, could put up huge numbers this fall.
Dan Cummings, Westerly
A First Team All-State pick last fall, Cummings will be a target for defenses all year as he tries to get open for an offense operating without All-Stater Landon Husereau. Cummings is also a talented defensive back and might become a game-changer there this fall.
Will Francis, Mt. Hope
The senior got the Huskies to the doorstep last year, but this fall looks ready to kick the door down. Francis looks like a pocket passer but puts up better numbers as a runner. Throw in his talents at defensive end and its no wonder the Huskies are favorites in Division III.
Johnny Germain, St. Raphael
Germain hasn’t been satisfied with just being a prospect and has put the work in to become one of the best physical talents in the state. He has a chance to be Rhode Island’s best running back and linebacker this fall, bringing comparisons to current URI star Moses Meus.
Chase Gavis, Burrillville
Gavis plays like a lot of former Broncos who found success at the quarterback position. The senior has experience, the arm and scrambles like few others, but playing in Division II should mean some big numbers as Burrillville tries to chase down a Super Bowl berth.
Elijah Guertin, Hendricken
The state’s best player should be a dominant force on defense as the best edge rusher in Rhode Island. How often the Hawks use him on offense will be seen as the season goes, but there won’t be many who can cover the 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end.
Aiden Harrison, Ponaganset
The Chieftains have put up some big running numbers the last few years and Harrison could become the program’s latest 1,000-yard rusher. He has good speed and runs hard and with Ponaganset’s blocking scheme, that could be the key to the team being a D-II darkhorse.
Alec Hayes, Narragansett
Hayes has grown tremendously since his sophomore year and showed it with his play last fall. He’ll do whatever the Mariners need to get done and his contributions at quarterback and as a Second Team All-Stater on defense are why they have a shot to win another D-IV title.
Jonathan Leroux, Cranston West
The left-handed signal caller developed nicely last fall and comes into this season locked and loaded. He’ll have a group of experienced players to throw to and if the line keeps him upright, it could be a huge season for Leroux and the Falcons.
Jalen Moseley, La Salle
There isn’t a better athlete in Rhode Island high school football. Moseley should be a dominant receiving weapon for a Rams’ team that should have no issue putting up points. He’ll double as an All-State defensive back and will be pivotal to La Salle’s success this fall.
Bruce Sampson, Exeter-West Greenwich
While he might not put up Al Georgio numbers, Sampson has the potential to be a 1,000-yard rusher and lead a Scarlet Knights’ defense that might be the best in Division IV. When EWG needs tough yards, expect Sampson to have the ball as it tries...
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