3 questions for URI football as it preps for opening game with training camp scrimmage
Who replaces Kasim Hill at QB?
Primary among those choices is who will replace four-year starter Kasim Hill under center. There hasn’t been much separation between Clemson transfer Hunter Helms and returning backup Devin Farrell, who started his career at Virginia Tech. Pocket passer and dual threat offer URI a little bit of everything in terms of skill sets.
“Obviously, there’s a competitive edge between both — ACC quarterbacks, Virginia Tech and Clemson,” linebacker AJ Peña said. “It’s tough. They’re both extremely consistent and they’ve both got that quarterback’s eye.”
Farrell made six appearances last season but totaled just five rush attempts and two completions. He was a coveted recruit for the Hokies who is entering his second year in Kingston. Helms walked on before earning a scholarship with the Tigers and has caught on gradually after arriving as a transfer in the spring.
“[Helms] didn’t really know the playbook,” receiver Marquis Buchanan said. “Now they’re both just in a rhythm — making quick reads, getting to the line, getting to the protections they see and then getting the ball out to us.”
Hill played in 36 games with the Rams, including 11 in each of the last three years. Fleming made his decision in 2020 to go with the Tennessee transfer and stuck with it — URI went 22-14 overall in that span and posted four straight seasons at or above .500 in Coastal Athletic Association play.
“I think they’re both capable, and so of course you’d like to make sure everybody gets some burn,” Fleming said. “But this is football and there’s one ball. Everybody knows that’s a difficult formula to be successful with.
“I think we’ll make a decision and try to keep both alive, but one’s going to have to be the starter.”
Who replaces Kasim Hill at QB?
Primary among those choices is who will replace four-year starter Kasim Hill under center. There hasn’t been much separation between Clemson transfer Hunter Helms and returning backup Devin Farrell, who started his career at Virginia Tech. Pocket passer and dual threat offer URI a little bit of everything in terms of skill sets.
“Obviously, there’s a competitive edge between both — ACC quarterbacks, Virginia Tech and Clemson,” linebacker AJ Peña said. “It’s tough. They’re both extremely consistent and they’ve both got that quarterback’s eye.”
Farrell made six appearances last season but totaled just five rush attempts and two completions. He was a coveted recruit for the Hokies who is entering his second year in Kingston. Helms walked on before earning a scholarship with the Tigers and has caught on gradually after arriving as a transfer in the spring.
“[Helms] didn’t really know the playbook,” receiver Marquis Buchanan said. “Now they’re both just in a rhythm — making quick reads, getting to the line, getting to the protections they see and then getting the ball out to us.”
Hill played in 36 games with the Rams, including 11 in each of the last three years. Fleming made his decision in 2020 to go with the Tennessee transfer and stuck with it — URI went 22-14 overall in that span and posted four straight seasons at or above .500 in Coastal Athletic Association play.
“I think they’re both capable, and so of course you’d like to make sure everybody gets some burn,” Fleming said. “But this is football and there’s one ball. Everybody knows that’s a difficult formula to be successful with.
“I think we’ll make a decision and try to keep both alive, but one’s going to have to be the starter.”
