West Virginia Among 12 Finalists for Four-Star Defensive Lineman Joel Starlings

2023 four-star defensive lineman Joel Starlings from Benedictine College Preparatory is a massive recruit — literally — in his class, and he’s released the 12 programs that are in the running to secure his commitment.

Starlings (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) has picked up nearly 20 offers so far in his recruitment chase, but he’s narrowed down his choice to Florida State, South Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, Michigan State, West Virginia, Penn State, Oregon, Virginia Tech and Ole Miss.

TOP1️⃣2️⃣!!! (Recruitment still 100% open but these schools are my main focus atm) pic.twitter.com/D3fuCQdMf2

— HIM (@JoelStarlings) October 2, 2021

Starlings has made three unofficial visits so far, hitting up South Carolina, North Carolina as well as West Virginia in June. He posted positively about his time in Morgantown on Twitter, expressing his desire to go back in the future.

WVU was immaculate 🚀🚀 these all whites different⚪️⚪️ @NealBrown_WVU @CoachJaxDL @WVUfootball pic.twitter.com/uihKrONuXb

— HIM (@JoelStarlings) June 25, 2021

According to 247Sports, Starlings is rated as the 213th-ranked recruit in the class, slotting in as the 32nd ranked defensive lineman and the third-ranked recruit from Virginia. Rivals is a bit higher on him, rated as the 189th-ranked recruit in the class. Additionally, he’s rated as the seventh-ranked defensive and the third-ranked recruit from Virginia.

Starlings has not yet released a decision date.