At last December’s press conference for Division 1 football’s Early Signing Period for the class of 2020, Virginia football head coach Bronco Mendenhall cited wide receiver as the top remaining need in the class. On Sunday (February 2), Virginia possibly took a step towards addressing the need, extending a scholarship offer to uncommitted East Nashville (Nashville, TN) senior Demick Starling.
Blessed to receive an offer from The University of Virginia! Thank you for the opportunity @coachmhagans @JordanArcement #GoHoos #OE4L🦅 pic.twitter.com/fVygAMhhpu
— Demick Starling (@dstarling16) February 3, 2020
According to 247Sports, Virginia becomes the first Power 5 conference school to offer Starling, a 6’0”, 170-pound prospect who played wide receiver and cornerback for an East Nashville squad that finished 9-3 in 2019. Liberty, Miami (OH) and Western Michigan are among the schools that had offered previously.
An accomplished track athlete, Starling was named Main Street Preps Boys Athlete of the Year in the spring of 2019 after capturing the Small Class state championship in the 400 meters. He added a second-place finish in the state in the 100 meters and third place in the 200 meters. Per Mile Split, his best outdoor 100-meter time is 10.74 seconds.
Stay tuned to The Sabre for more on Starling and his collegiate decision. The Division 1 football Regular Signing Period begins on Wednesday, February 5. Virginia signed 13 class of 2020 recruits back in December and has a commitment from Varina (VA) defensive end Lorenz Terry. The Hoos are also a top contender for California defensive lineman Nusi Malani, who made officials visits to UVA and Washington State in January before reportedly heading to Arizona this past weekend.
