Dedrick Starkes brings HBCU-tested linebacker toughness to South Carolina State
Starkes profiles as a physical, assignment-sound linebacker whose appeal is more about reliability and tempo than flashy counting stats; South Carolina State lists him on its 2024 roster, while recruiting/draft profiles identify him as a 2026 NFL Draft prospect with prior starting experience at Benedict College and an NIL bio describing him as a starting outside linebacker. That background suggests a player who should fit teams valuing downhill run support, special-teams toughness, and a mature, competitive presence in the room rather than pure headline-grabbing production.
