Joel Starlings brings size, portal pedigree, and untapped upside to Maryland’s defensive line
Starlings is a big-bodied interior defensive lineman at **6'4" and 302 pounds** who has already flashed in college action, posting **5 solo tackles and 1 sack in 2025** for Maryland after transferring from UNC. He was a **four-star recruit** and an On3 portal target, which signals real talent upside, and his profile suggests a disruptive run-stuffer with enough strength to matter inside. Why care: he offers the kind of power and developmental ceiling teams want in the trenches, though he’s still more “project with traits” than finished product.
