The other side of the discussion involves the decision made by the former St. Raphael standout and Pawtucket native. Meus opted to stay with the Rams, the program that recruited him hardest while he was an All-Stater with the Saints.

It was a different sort of victory for URI coach Jim Fleming and his staff when Meus announced he would be back for his junior campaign in 2026. (He redshirted in 2023.) “When I was getting recruited out of high school they were always in my phone,” Meus said after the annual Blue-White Game at Narragansett High School. “They were always on me. They always spoke very highly of me.

When I came here I felt like it was the right decision. “Just knowing that Rhode Island is home and has always been here for me, seeing my teammates and the culture in the locker room – I wouldn’t want to leave this any day. That really was what brought me here and why I stayed.” Meus jumped from 16 tackles in 2024 to 110 in 2025, leading the team.

He added eight quarterback hits, five sacks, two forced fumbles, an interception and a pass breakup. The former special teams player and specialty pass rusher is now capable of working as a three-down linebacker both inside and on the edge. “Coming here I had to learn how to play with my teammates and leverage and things like that,” Meus said.

“That was just a huge process for me.”Greg Gaines III was the lone real high-profile transfer loss this offseason for URI. The receiver opted for a return to his home state when he moved up to the FBS level with Florida International. Marquis Buchanan, Devin Farrell, Rohan Davy, Andre DePina-Gray, Case Mankins – the Rams were able to retain a host of players likely to receive some Coastal Athletic Association or Stats Perform preseason recognition.

“I think it is culture,” Fleming said. “When you look at the retention of the guys who we have, obviously we have to dabble into this (name, image and likeness) world. But it’s not a world that’s comparable to what we read about in the papers.

“These kids, thankfully, made a decision to stay with a school they feel very good about and a university they want to represent. It’s a unique opportunity – we've got a chance to go for a threepeat. They feel like if we stay together and we put together a good football team with added pieces that we’ve got a chance to make a run at it.” At least a share of consecutive league titles in the Coastal Athletic Association and corresponding FCS playoff berths makes for an attractive pitch to potential prospects.

URI has also improved its on-campus facilities to develop its talent and is in the early stages of a $42-million renovation that will transform Meade Stadium. How the Rams are able to extend their momentum while playing home games in Pawtucket this season will be critical for their immediate future. Saturday morning saw dozens of prospects on the Zepp Field sidelines, taking in the action with their parents and high school coaches.

North Kingstown running back Nick Stafford was among those who received a scholarship offer immediately following the 24-14 victory for the URI defense. The Rams will be looking for additional options in the transfer portal this spring while also targeting players like Meus closer to home. “That’s a far cry from 2014 when we had to pay people to come in and see us,” Fleming said.

“There are some very good players in that group – probably 15 to 20 offerable kids. “I’m thrilled that they had a chance. We’ll build it with both.” bkoch@providencejournal.com On X: @BillKoch25 This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Why did ex-St. Raphael star Moses Meus is stay with URI football