Fourth-year defensive back Justin Carcel has made an early impact in his first year with the University of Rhode Island football team.
Carcel spent three seasons at Keiser University, competing at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics level. In his time with the Seahawks, he played in the NAIA National Championship every year, winning the title in 2023.
He was named an Associated Press NAIA Second-Team All-American with a career-best four interceptions in 2024 and took to the transfer portal over the offseason with his eyes set on making the jump to Division I.
“I had a good career at Kaiser, and I was ready to just take that next step,” Carcel said. “I was able to connect with [URI Defensive Backs] Coach [Yianakopolos] on Twitter and get up here on a visit, and that’s kind of what sold me.”
Connecting with the coaches and seeing the culture of the program in person factored into the decision to commit. Carcel has seen the contrast in levels both on and off the field, with improved facilities and support staff.
“The daily grind of this, you can feel the difference,” Carcel said. “Every day you’re coming in, you have to get better, you have to practice hard; it’s demanded out of you. It’s really been a blessing to be a part of.”
It took Carcel one game to get halfway to matching last year’s career-high interception total. Two interceptions against Long Island University on Sept. 20 helped the Rams take a 28-7 win.
“He’s a kid that has assimilated very well with our program, our culture and how we do things,” Rhode Island Head Coach Jim Fleming said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked so far, and we expect a lot more.”
Both interceptions came in the first quarter, leaving Carcel as third-year Sharks quarterback Chris Howell’s leading receiver. Howell failed to complete a pass to his own team in the quarter.
“Me going out there and being able to make two plays for my team is really great,” Carcel said. “I don’t even take the credit for it because the [defensive line] and front seven we have really just make my job so easy on the backend.”
On his second interception, third-year defensive linemen Case Mankins and Patrick Conserve were combining to take down Howell in the backfield before the quarterback tossed a prayer of a pass toward Carcel.
“‘This is definitely a sack,’ I’m thinking in my head,” Carcel said. “I was like, ‘Oh, he really threw this?’ The whole time I’m just looking at the ball, making sure I can get under it.”
Part of the many new names stepping up on the Rams defense, Carcel said he has been able to lean on familiar faces like his roommate and fourth-year defensive back Andre DePina-Gray to help him get comfortable on defense.
“One quote that I always look back on throughout my career has been: ‘Respect is earned; it isn’t given,’” Carcel said. “I know I have to go out there and earn these guys’ respect.”
URI’s defense has allowed 19.6 points per game, good for 18th in the Football Championship Subdivision.
“Our defensive coaching staff does a very good job of going ahead and emphasizing the fundamentals and techniques necessary to execute their assignments,” Fleming said. “They play extremely hard, and they’re playing physical; that’s kind of the magic recipe.”
Carcel was rewarded as the Coastal Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against LIU, making him the second Ram with the honor after third-year linebacker Moses Meus earned the award the week prior.
“I’m glad I could do it for my coaches and teammates,” Carcel said. “The coaches work so hard; they’re here all day. We start at like 5:45 in the morning, and the coaches are here before us.”
With veteran experience but new to the program, Carcel continued to make noise on Saturday against Western Michigan University. He finished the game tied for third on the team with eight total tackles.
“It’s been a smooth transition; I really couldn’t ask for an easier transition,” Carcel said. “It’s like I’ve been here for all four years.”
