Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 2 games
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 62-0vs Hampton | 3 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 3 tackles |
| Wk 2 | W 38-14@ UConn | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Total | 4 | 2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 |
#44
Joel Starlings
Junior defensive lineman on Maryland's 2026 roster.
6′4″ · 302 lb · Richmond, VA · Benedictine
Returning to Maryland for 2026
The numbers
0
sacks · 2026
4 tackles
2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 3 tackles, vs Hampton
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
3 defensive lineman on Maryland's 2026 roster.
- Signed as a 4-star recruit to North Carolina in 2023.
- Transferred from North Carolina to Maryland in 2025.
Joel Starlings
North Carolina to Maryland — the move that set up everything since. One game to point at: 3 tackles against Hampton — Week 1, 2026.
4 TACKLES · 0 SACKS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
- season totals
- portal record
- game log
His career
2023
- Signed with North Carolina4-star out of Benedictine
20256 games
- Entered the portal
Career arc
HS
Recruit
★★★★
CFB
College
Maryland
NFL
NFL Draft
—
2026 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
2 seasons under Mike Locksley — 6-8 over that span.
2025Maryland4-8HC: Mike Locksley · Pass-leaning
2026Maryland2-0HC: Mike Locksley · Balanced, fast tempo
Where this defender ranks vs the field
Box-score production percentiles vs the position cohort
Concern: tackles (0th percentile).
Box-score production (6)
Percentiles are versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score production. There are no play-by-play efficiency bars here: CFBD's play-value model credits offensive players only, so no defensive EPA exists to rank.
Splits & context
Splits
Per-game splits
Through 2 games: 2.0 TKL/g, 0.0 TFL/g, 0.0 SACK/g, 0.0 PD/g — splits start at 3 games.
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Mike Locksley
Scheme reads (pass share, tempo, sack rate) need at least 3 team games — 2 games in so far.
Awards
Player standing · 2026
Backup
On the two-deep and pushing for snaps.
Roster2-deepStarterRecognizedEliteApex
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 1 · 2026
W 62–0
vs Hampton
3 TOT · 2 SOLO
Dominant 62-point win at home against Hampton.
With D. Williams — 116 rush yds (3 car) · 2 TD · M. Washington — 186 yds · 1 TD · 0 INT · 4 rush yds (3 car)
Game log
How he plays
2026 Outlook
Maryland
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive line · Maryland
Returning around him
- 1 Maryland player drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -2 net (14 in / 16 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Maryland · Last season: 4-8 · Talent rank #46 · 2026 recruiting class #43
Background
As a Redshirt Sophomore (2025): Saw action in 11 games during his first season as a Terp. Made seven tackles, while also recording a sack and QB hurry. Recorded first sack of the season to go along with two tackles in a win at Wisconsin. Had two tackles against Rutgers. Made first career appearan...
The defensive line · Maryland
- #11Sidney Stewart10.5 tackles for loss · 2025
- #9Zahir Mathis8.5 tackles for loss · 2025
- #98Eyan Thomas3 tackles for loss · 2025
- #40Nahsir Taylor3 tackles for loss · 2025
- #44Joel Starlings1 tackle for loss · 2025
13 more on the roster · Maryland team page
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology