Cranston East standout lineman Omar Reyes made his college decision official recently, as he committed to playing for nearby Division I University of Rhode Island next fall.

Reyes will be heading to Kingston as a preferred walk on, and will be competing at center for the Rams.

“I feel great about it, there were so many choices to make so to finally have my decision set in stone is great. Rhode Island has great talent, but with kids coming from all over the place, every part of the country, I know mentally that I am going to be playing much better competition,” said Reyes, who also mentioned proximity to home as a big factor in his decision.

Reyes emerged as one of the top offensive lineman in the state and was also a force on the defensive side of the ball. He played for the varsity squad since his freshman season and was a starter since his sophomore year.

By his senior season, Reyes was a Super Bowl champion, an all-stater, as well as a team captain and a member of the National Honor Society.

At 6-feet, 275 pounds, Reyes looks to get even bigger and stronger as he prepares to face top talent from throughout the country.

“I know that I am going to have to work hard mentally and physically. I have been working in the weight room, working on my strength with the bench press and squat. Working on a bunch of lifts. (COVID-19) has closed my actual gym but I lift every day at my house, I do cardio every day at my house, it hasn’t affected me as much as others,” said Reyes.

As Reyes gets prepared to take the next step toward the Division I college ranks, he will remember the lessons he learned from his time at East and playing under head coach Tom Centore.

“I’m looking forward to the change of scenery while being away from home but not too far from home. The biggest influence on me at East was Coach Centore. He always told us that football is more than just a game, and the way that you practice is the way that you will live the rest of your life. That message is what I will take with me,” said Reyes, who will also miss playing in front of the Cranston faithful each week. “I’m going to miss the Friday night games, the Thanksgiving game, it’s a different feeling. Playing in front of the whole city, I’ll miss it.”