Braxton Starnes is pushing into Coastal’s linebacker mix with early 2026 opportunity
Braxton Starnes entered the 2026 season as a sophomore linebacker for Coastal Carolina, and the early read is simple: he’s in the rotation and already drawing major-league attention in a linebacker room that’s being built around experience and versatility. In Coastal’s season opener on Sept. 5, 2026 at West Virginia, he logged 2 tackles, which is a small sample but a real sign of trust. At 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, he brings SEC-sized linebacker traits, and Coastal’s staff notes he reunites with coach Ryan Beard after six games as a true freshman in 2025. If your team wants a long, physical, ascending defender with developmental upside, he’s a fit.
