Bubba Starling

6-5, 195, QB, Gardner, Kan. (Gardner Edgerton HS)

 

Bubba Starling is regarded as one of the top multi-sport high school athletes in the country and is one of two quarterbacks in Nebraska's 2011 signing class. The 6-5, 195-pound Starling is one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation, and is also a standout in basketball and baseball at Gardner Edgerton High School in the Kansas City area. Starling is expected to play both football and baseball at Nebraska. Starling quarterbacked Coach Marvin Diener's team to a 33-4 record during his three seasons as a starter. Overall, Starling accounted for more than 8,100 yards of total offense and 97 touchdowns in three seasons. In 2010, he led Gardner-Edgerton to an 11-1 record before a loss in the Class 5A state semifinals. Starling posted amazing rushing stats during his senior campaign, racking up 2,377 yards on 180 carries (13.2 ypc), while scoring 31 rushing touchdowns. He also passed for 790 yards and eight touchdowns. During his junior season Starling led his team to the Class 5A state finals. Starling rushed for 1,381 yards and 19 touchdowns during his junior year, while passing for 1,433 yards and 18 touchdowns against just six interceptions. In his first season as a starter in 2008, Starling ran for 1,033 yards and 10 touchdowns and threw for more than 1,100 yards and another 11 touchdowns, helping Gardner-Edgerton to the state semifinals. Starling has racked up a host of honors over the past few years. As a senior, he was the Gatorade Kansas Player of the Year and the winner of the prestigious Simone Award for the top player in the Kansas City area. He was also the offensive captain of the Kansas City Star's All-Metro team, and a first-team Class 5A all-state pick. Starling was one of several Nebraska signees to participate in the U.S. Army All-America game in San Antonio in January. Starling was named as the Super Prep Magazine Midlands Region Offensive Player of the Year and that publication lists him as the No. 2 prospect in the Midlands Region. He is ranked as the No. 2 prospect in Kansas by Rivals.com, which also ranks him as the nation's No. 6 "athlete" and the No. 119 player overall in the country. Scout.com and ESPN also rank him among the nation's top 10 quarterback prospects. In baseball, Starling excels as a right-handed pitcher and outfielder and is currently Baseball America's No. 1 high school prospect. Starling has hit better than .500 with 17 home runs and 43 RBI the past two seasons. Playing for Team USA (U-18) last summer, Starling hit .339 with three home runs, while throwing three scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. For his effort he was named the Kansas City Metro Baseball Coaches Association small class Player of the Year. He is also a standout in basketball at Gardner-Edgerton. He helped the Blazers to a 20-5 record in 2009-10, and is again among the leading scorers and rebounders as a senior. Starling took his only visit to Nebraska and committed to the Huskers in June, but had offers from dozens of schools including Notre Dame, Alabama, Kansas and Kansas State. Starling is the son of Jim and Debbie Starling and was born on Aug. 3, 1992.