Consecutive Coastal Athletic Association titles have given the University of Rhode Island football team more playoff experience than the previous four decades combined, but the chances of a three-peat rest on a transfer quarterback who only made his first collegiate start on Aug. 28.

Fifth-year signal caller Devin Farrell, a First Team All-CAA selection a season ago, received surgery in March. A recovery process that was projected to take around three months is now projected to take between eight and 12 months, according to head coach Jim Fleming. 

The recovery opened the door for third-year Tyler Budge, who comes to Kingston following two seasons as a depth option at Georgia Southern University. He played just three snaps in his two seasons with the Eagles, and transferred to URI thanks, in part, to a previous connection with the coaching staff.

“I got recruited by [URI quarterbacks coach Tyler Loftus] out of high school,” Budge said. “I already had a connection with him. When I got in the portal, he was one of the first people to reach out to me.”

With Farrell returning for a third year as the team’s expected starter, Budge was recruited more for the future than the present. With Farrell injured, Budge has started all four games so far this season.

“We needed a guy that we thought we could bring in and develop,” Fleming said. “He’s a talented kid that, until his start against Merrimack, the last game he played was the state championship in high school.”

The transition to the starting role has had some expected bumps in the road. Budge has accounted for six total touchdowns — five through the air and one on the ground — in his four games played so far, but he has also been intercepted four times. 

“He’s very hard on himself,” Fleming said. “You get thrust into a position as a quarterback like that; there becomes a little bit of an adjustment taking control of the team as a quarterback needs to, but he has grown really nicely in that and these kids fight for him.”

Budge has improved in most metrics as the season has progressed. In his latest start against Stony Brook University, he threw for a season and career-high 209 yards. His 64.3% completion percentage in that game was also a career best. 

“I’m feeling more comfortable every week,” Budge said. “I’m feeling the improvement. I’ve been preparing for this for the past couple years.”

The football team has had to navigate injuries to Farrell before, including missing a 2024 playoff game against Mercer University. Playing a backup quarterback for a whole season is an entirely different scenario, but Budge’s continued improvement will be key to this team’s hunt for a national championship.