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Position: RB
Class: 2010 Big Board
Year: Senior
Hometown: Niagra Falls, NY
Date of Birth: 02.25.86
Height: 6021
Weight: 218
Bench Press: 15
Vertical Jump: 36"
40 T: 4.50
Projection: 4th Round
Ordering: 86
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Audio Interview -- Player Spotlight (February) -- LISTEN HERE
SCOUT'S TAKE
Latest: University of Buffalo running back James Starks will miss the entire 2009-10 season due to a shoulder injury. An all-around athlete who combines size (6’2, 211), to go along with quick burst and acceleration, Starks has quite a bit of upside considering his past durability. The converted quarterback has also flashed the ability to throw and catch the ball during his Bulls career.
Skinny: Starks has great size and acceleration for a running back at 6’2, 205 and near 4.4-timed speed. Entering his senior campaign, the Niagara Falls native has an opportunity to post some big time numbers, coming off a year in which he accumulated 1,333 rushing yards, caught 52 passes for 361 yards and scored 17 total touchdowns. Could Starks be this year’s Donald Brown who skyrockets up the draft board because of his ability to not only run the football, but also catch it?
Stock: It’s unlikely that Starks achieves first-round status but with NFL teams emphasizing a lot of two running back schemes, Starks could be a very valuable player in the NFL. Right now Starks holds a late second-to-early third round grade.
SCOUT'S TAKE
02.21.10 - Mel Kiper was very high on James Starks, the University of Buffalo's career rushing leader, who missed the whole season with a shoulder injury but could be a steal. "He's right now back to where he needs to be physically or close to it," Kiper said. "He would have been a second- or third-round pick had he played this year with Buffalo, so James Starks, if you can get him in the fourth or fifth round, the kid's got a lot of ability." – Detroit Free Press