Division I features the top football talent in the state, with some players even taking their games to the next level after graduation.
The state’s top division offers plenty of players to keep an eye on this season, but we decided to narrow this list of “Players to Watch” to one per team. Some teams will certainly include other impact players, but we tried to bring as many players’ names to light as possible.
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Check out the list below. Week 1 of the regular season arrives on Sept. 11.
La Salle running back, Antonio Bearden, keeps Skipper defender Gian Iacuele at bay for yardage for the La Salle Rams.
Antonio Bearden, La Salle
Wide receiver/defensive back, Senior
The Rams should have no shortage of perimeter playmakers on both sides of the ball, and Bearden is the most experienced. Look for the All-State first-team selection to be a primary target in the passing game and a top defensive back.
Jack Belluzzi, Burrillville football
Jack Belluzzi, Burrillville
Wide receiver/defensive back, Junior
The Broncos graduated a host of senior leaders and will be rebuilding in 2025. They’ll need players like Belluzzi, who saw the field last season, to step forward and push them back toward contention.
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Tashaad Brown, St. Raphael
Quarterback, Junior
Browne enters his third year under center for the Saints, and you can’t place a value on that experience. He should have a host of targets in the passing game and is capable of breaking out of the pocket with his quickness.
Chris Ciarniello (42), North Kingstown. Burrillville vs. North Kingstown in Division I RIIL Super Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, Cranston Stadium.
Chris Ciarniello, North Kingstown
Running back/linebacker, Senior
You won’t find a tougher, more physical two-way player in the state this fall. Ciarniello sets a cultural tone for the Skippers by gaining the hard yards between the tackles and refusing to yield on defense.
Adam Conheeny, Portsmouth football
Adam Conheeny, Portsmouth
Quarterback, Senior
The Patriots upended Bishop Hendricken during the regular season in 2024, and Conheeny was a major reason why. He’s a difficult matchup for opposing defenses thanks to his arm strength, quickness and willingness to take a risk when prudent.
Charlie Cornell, Cranston West football
Charlie Cornell, Cranston West
Wide receiver/defensive back, Senior
Cornell enters a new chapter in his high school career — catching passes from someone other than his older brother. Look for him to continue as a top playmaker with the Falcons and be a factor in the defensive backfield.
Kellan Johnson, Barrington football
Kellan Johnson, Barrington
Running back/defensive back, Senior
Johnson picked up a few touches on the perimeter and in the running game last season — expect him to enjoy an expanded role in 2025. He should also be an experienced piece in the defensive backfield.
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Jayden Rabbitt, Cumberland
Running back/defensive back, Junior
With his speed and elusiveness, his surname certainly makes sense. Rabbitt is stepping into a big role this season as the Clippers main back and will be an integral part of a defense that took some big hits with graduation.
Hendricken running back Jeremy Seidi runs for a first half touchdown for the Hawks.
Jeremy Seidi, Hendricken
Running back/linebacker, Senior
Seidi helped carry the Hawks to their latest Super Bowl championship literally and figuratively, excelling as their top running back in 2024 and doing his part on defense at linebacker. He’s an Army commit and should be among the state’s best two-way players in 2025.
Keyah Sunnyway, Central football
Keyah Sunnyway, Central
Wide receiver/defensive back, Junior
Sunnyway is just scratching the surface of his potential. He’s near the top of the list — if not the top — as the state’s best cover corner, an impact wide receiver and a factor in the return game if everything breaks right for him and the Knights in 2025.
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Top players in Division I Rhode Island High School Football in 2025
