DT | (6'3", 314, 4.95) | MARYLAND | COLLEGE STATS
Data from Scouts, Inc.
Grade: 93
Comments: Starks is active, extremely disruptive, explodes off snap. Has upper-body strength to maintain separation, uses hands well, can shed quickly. Good bulk, outstanding lower-body strength, can anchor at point of attack. Agile, effective on line stunts, good closing speed to quarterback. Variety of pass rush moves, relentless, forces offensive linemen to keep feet moving. Drives legs, can collapse pocket, adequate bull rusher. Tall, excellent leaper, can bat down passes. Anticipates snap counts, has first step to beat opponents off snap and get into backfield quickly. Excellent instincts, locates ballcarrier quickly, is usually around ball but sometimes gets caught out of position. Can be overaggressive, vulnerable to effective hard counts. Takes good angles to ball, has burst to run plays down from behind, agility to make plays in space. Good range for size, can make plays from sideline to sideline. Good motor, makes plays with second effort. Breaks down in open field, wraps up ballcarrier on contact. Is consistent, powerful tackler capable of forcing fumbles. Doesn't always play with leverage, struggles to hold ground when he plays too high. Can't consistently split double teams, appears to give up plays when forward momentum stops. Vulnerable to cut blocks, must protect legs better. Starks played three-technique tackle in the Terps' 4-3 defense in 2002 but moved to end in Maryland's 3-4 scheme as a junior in 2003, although he continued to play a one-gap penetrating role. Starks started every game since his true freshman season in 2001. As a junior defensive end in the three-man front, Starks finished with 73 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. Starks is a versatile prospect who could play either defensive tackle in a 4-3 or end in a 3-4, but his best fit might be as a one-gap penetrator in a traditional four-man front. Starks has been dominant in college for the past three seasons, but he has even more potential. Hecould develop into an elite player if he works harder and will likely be a Top-25 pick
