Cincinnati gets a rangy, tackling-heavy safety in Xavier Starks
Xavier Starks, a 2026 Cincinnati commit from Clay-Chalkville, brings a physical safety profile with verified production: Cincinnati lists him with 109 career tackles, 78 solo stops, 21 pass breakups over his final two seasons, and a fumble recovery; recruiting services also note he’s a three-star prospect and a top-75 player in Alabama, with ESPN ranking him No. 93 nationally at safety and No. 43 in the state. At 5-foot-11, 202 pounds, he looks like a reliable, downhill defender who should fit a disciplined secondary and help against both the run and the pass.
