URI football navigates injuries, eligibility questions as season nears

SOUTH KINGSTOWN – Some practiced but still might not play. Others didn't suit up but could still find themselves on the field when the 2026 season kicks off for real.

Saturday morning made for some contrasting scenes during the second University of Rhode Island football training camp scrimmage. Offense and defense butted heads as the Rams continued to work toward their Aug. 28 debut under the lights at Merrimack and the start of what they hope will be a third straight journey to the FCS playoffs.

Tyler Budge and Alex McClelland took the bulk of the snaps under center in place of Devin Farrell (lower body), who is still recovering from offseason surgery. Marquis Buchanan (shoulder) was held out as a precaution after a crash landing during a live drill in Friday’s session. Defensive lineman Sahnai Swain-Price (ankle), running back Gabe Winowich (hamstring) and linebacker Toddrick Brewton were among those watching from the sideline.

How many of those could be in uniform against the Warriors? URI – currently ranked No. 7 in the preseason national polls and the prohibitive favorite again in the Coastal Athletic Association – is balancing present and future while chasing more glory in December.

“That was a lot of fun today,” defensive lineman Case Mankins said. “Going against each other every day in fall camp, it’s fun. But when it’s time to really hit, you let loose.”

Farrell was named the preseason Offensive Player of the Year in the conference after a strong performance in 2025. He did some light throwing before the real action started on the grass fields just across the driveway from the Ryan Center but didn’t take part in any live drills. Budge and McClelland – with the Georgia Southern transfer appearing to lead the former Barrington standout in the race for the backup job – both found some success and a few struggles.

“It would be a photo finish for [Farrell] to be ready for the first game,” head coach Jim Fleming said. “We’re prepared to go either way.”

Former backup Conner Kenyon transferred to Central Connecticut State in the offseason with the expectation of starting for the Blue Devils. He was unlikely to displace Farrell here and would have been pressed into extended time only in case of a major injury. Budge’s rolling completion to Aboraa Kwarteng along the right sideline and touchdown pass to Will Dixon came before a pair of interceptions, including one to Jermel Bynum on a pass toward the right flat.

“We’ve been able to develop those two quarterbacks,” Fleming said. “That’s going to be a critical piece for us. We’re not sure how it’s going to go in the early part of the season.”

Terrence Campbell broke a long touchdown run on the opening series, a highlight for the former All-State selection from La Salle. He’s competing on a backfield depth chart that includes Winowich, veteran speedster BJ Barrow and a pair of notable incoming freshmen in former Classical star Jordan Duke and New York native Brayden Richardson. Kwarteng is among a host of perimeter targets alongside Buchanan, the two-time All-American who graduated ahead of Duke with the Purple.

“Now it really becomes a little bit of a shift,” Fleming said. “We know what we can do. Put our people in position to get ready to go play a game.”

The defense found its footing under the bright sunshine after a rocky start, harassing McClelland on the third series through a sack off the edge by Elijah Rich and a pressure up the middle from Dartmouth transfer Tyson Grimm. A later series saw a near interception by returning linebacker Rohan Davy and two passes batted down by Moses Meus and Yale transfer Dylan Yang. The Rams should be disruptive in their front seven on that side of the ball, with Yang and Central Michigan transfer Oumar Conde adding some needed depth alongside Mankins up front.

“When you’re a younger guy everything is so fast,” Mankins said. “As an older guy I’m able to take a step back now and see everything bigger picture. We’ve got guys who are freshmen and other guys who’ve got to figure it out.”

AJ Peña and Justin Carcel are both practicing with the team and would be impact additions if they’re allowed on the field for a fifth year. Peña graduated in the spring as the program’s all-time leader in sacks and tackles for loss, while Carcel offers depth and ability in the secondary. Both could be eligible via the court system if Class of 2022 athletes are grandfathered into the new NCAA system that would grant enrolling high school and prep players a five-year, age-based window to complete their respective college careers.

“As much as I can follow the legalese, I think the NCAA is still trying to get it overturned,” Fleming said. “We’re also watching other states make state decisions to allow kids to play. I’d like to see if we can get some support from the State House to be able to do the same thing.

“We certainly think they deserve to play and take advantage of that.”

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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: URI football navigates injuries, eligibility questions as season nears

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