2019 NCAA Division I College Football Team Previews: Rhode Island Rams
Rhode Island Rams
Location: Kingston, Rhode Island
Coach: Jim Fleming (13-43), 6th season at Rhode Island
Stadium: Mead Stadium (Capacity 5,180)
CSJ Projections:
8th: CAA
1st: Rhode Island
51st: FCS
175th: Division I
2018 In A Sentence: Rhode Island was one of the early surprises of the FCS season 2018, starting 5-1 and taking FBS UConn to the limit before losing 56-49. The Rams offense fired on all cylinders, and even kept pace when QB JaJuan Lawson went down to injury.
Biggest Shoes to Fill: QB JaJuan Lawson got out to a fast start for Rhode Island in 2018 before a knee injury sidelined him for five games. In just seven games, Lawson threw for 1728 yards – 247 per game – with 17 touchdowns and only 5 nterceptions. The quarterback reins will be passed to QB Vito Priore in 2019. Priore performed admirably in relief of Lawson in 2018.
Key Player: WR Aaron Parker was one of the most dangerous receivers in the CAA in 2018, amassing 972 yards on 61 catches with 10 touchdowns. Parker is looking to have a huge senior season and has the potential to have over 1000 yards receiving.
Fearless Prediction: Rhode Island made a jump in 2018 with a winning record. 2019 looks to be about the same for Rhody with a new quarterback at the helm.
Jamie is a proud 2002 graduate of James Madison University. He’s witnessed the growth of the program from no one in the stands in 1998, to the hiring of Mickey Matthews, to the 2004 National Championship, to the 2008 team, to the struggles in the early 2010s, and finally the rebuild under Mike Houston. He also allegedly really enjoys Washington, DC-based Stanley Cup winners.
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