Special report via PhotoSports.com
Orlando, FL — The 2025 Hula Bowl lived up to its reputation as a showcase of elite college football talent, and two standouts from the CAA Champion University of Rhode Island Rams emerged as key players to watch: first-team All-Conference defensive tackle Westley Neal Jr. and fourth-team All-Conference long snapper Donato Crisanti. Their performances left NFL scouts and fans buzzing as they represented their program with skill, grit, and determination. Both team ‘AINA’ and team ‘KAI’ fielded two platoons of offensive and defensive players. Every player tried their very best to make the most of their opportunity as the groups rotated every second or third set of downs. Even with the limited number of plays, Neal was credited with three tackles, including an open field QB hit and 1 tackle for a loss.

The Hula Bowl features the best of the best college players – the competition was very intense. Players used their respective college helmets. The light colored team was the Kai team, and the dark color was team Aina.
Westley Neal Jr.: A Defensive Powerhouse
Westley Neal Jr., the Rams’ First Team CAA Conference defensive tackle was awesome. He demonstrated reactionary quickness, leg and upper body strength, and unrelenting effort against the best offensive linemen in collegiate football. In the first half, Neal was a constant disruptor, registering multiple gang tackles and assists. A sure run stopper, Neal also showed off his velocity and acceleration while harassing the quarterback throughout the game. Two holding calls came against offensive guards and tackles who had the difficult job of blocking Neal, as shown in the below photo.

Above: “Take It Back!” Neal points the direction for the ref’s to walk back the holding penalty.
Neal’s defining moment came in the fourth quarter when All-Ivy quarterback Jameson Wang (Cornell) rolled out of the pocket running toward an easy first down. Neal, from his defensive tackle position, displayed closing speed more like that of a linebacker or corner. His had excellent balance and velocity for a 6-foot, 315-pound frame, evidenced by his tracking Wang down from ten yards away. The chase ended with Neal wrapping up Wang and bringing him hard to the turf – short of the marker, igniting the crowd and earning fist bumps from his approving coaches and teammates on the sideline.




Below: Neal’s play ignites crowd reaction.
Big defensive tackles like Neal are not supposed to be chasing down ball carriers like that. Neal’s tenacity and speed were on full display, looking every bit like an all Conference CAA selection. Neal’s ability to collapse the pocket, disrupt the run game, and make plays downfield is exactly what teams are looking for at the next level. His explosive first step, ability to shed blockers, and high motor have solidified his status as a rising NFL prospect.
Fans reacted to the play by shouting out, “Call His Name!” And, the PA did just that, to the delight of his hometown fans, numbering over 70 people.
Donato Crisanti: A Model of Precision
Long snapper Donato Crisanti also made an impression in one of football’s most specialized roles. Crisanti delivered flawless snaps on punts, field goals, and extra points, displaying the kind of reliability and precision that is critical at the professional level.
Crisanti is the kind of player who can step onto an NFL field tomorrow and do his job at a high level.

Above: Donato Crisanti getting down field after long snapping for team Kai punter. Crisanti had 5 perfect snaps during the Hula Bowl. Long snappers rarely get the spotlight, but Crisanti’s performance demonstrated the importance of his role. His consistency and attention to detail put him firmly on the radar of NFL teams looking for dependable special teams’ contributors.

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A Bright Future for Rhode Island Football
Neal and Crisanti’s performances underscored the University of Rhode Island’s ability to develop NFL-caliber talent. Neal has drawn comparisons to other standout defensive linemen such as Denver Broncos’ DJ Jones, while Crisanti’s composure and skill in a specialized position make him an appealing prospect.
The Rams’ last NFL Draftee was wide receiver Isaiah Coulter in 2020; Neal and Crisanti could join Coulter and hear their names called this April at the NFL Draft at Lambeau Field. Both players proved they could excel against top-tier competition and used the Hula Bowl as a platform to boost their draft stock. For now, their standout performances in Orlando have brought pride to the University and a renewed sense of excitement for the program’s future.
The journey to the NFL continues for these two standout athletes, and their progress will undoubtedly be followed closely by fans, coaches, and scouts alike.
Contributors to this story are Dom and Nick Murgo