Xavier Starks Xavier Starks 6'0" | 176 lbs | DB Claychalkville | 2026 State AL has been an impressive sideline-to-sideline playmaker on Clay Chalkville’s defense all year long.

Starks is a hybrid safety who can dominate opposing rushing and passing attacks in a ton of different ways. He’s highly instinctual and can read and react to opposing offenses within seconds of the snap, consistently putting himself in great position to impact plays.

Starks is excellent out in coverage- he isn’t easily baited by play fakes, doesn’t let anyone behind him, and has the ball skills to consistently pick off and break up passes.. Starks is just as good at defending the run- he flies downhill, doesn’t shy away from contact, and has great skills in pursuit and as a tackler.

Starks has put together some great tape this season, check it out below:

Starks is a hybrid safety who can dominate opposing rushing and passing attacks in a ton of different ways. He’s highly instinctual and can read and react to opposing offenses within seconds of the snap, consistently putting himself in great position to impact plays.

Starks is excellent out in coverage- he isn’t easily baited by play fakes, doesn’t let anyone behind him, and has the ball skills to consistently pick off and break up passes.. Starks is just as good at defending the run- he flies downhill, doesn’t shy away from contact, and has great skills in pursuit and as a tackler.

So far this season, Starks has racked up 34 total tackles (24 solo) and 12 PBUs.

Be sure to check out some of Starks’ tape from this season. He’s been terrific.

Xavier Starks Xavier Starks 6'0" | 176 lbs | DB Claychalkville | 2026 State AL is a talented DB out of Clay Chalkville who has brought a ton of talent to his team’s secondary over the last few years.

Starks is a hybrid safety who can dominate opposing rushing and passing attacks in a ton of different ways. He’s highly instinctual and can read and react to opposing offenses within seconds of the snap, consistently putting himself in great position to impact plays.

Starks is excellent out in coverage- he isn’t easily baited by play fakes, doesn’t let anyone behind him, and has the ball skills to consistently pick off and break up passes.. Starks is just as good at defending the run- he flies downhill, doesn’t shy away from contact, and has great skills in pursuit and as a tackler.

Starks committed to Cincinnati a little while back, giving the Bearcats a top-tier safety recruit in their 2026 class.

Watch out for Stark’s and this Clay Chalkville defense this fall, they have a huge year ahead.

S projection. Committed to Cincy back in February. Comes in around 6’0 185, stout but still has some room to add weight. Clicks and drives hard on the football. I would consider him a striker, he hits with good pad level and doesn’t get blown back on contact. Attacks the trunk against bigger, downhill RBs. Does an excellent job of deceiving blockers and getting them to hesitate. Patient, flows laterally with the direction of the offense. Doesn’t get lost in traffic and doesn’t overpursue. Most reps on tape show off his pursuit and tackling skills. He looks to have the hips to turn and run with receivers. Starks has a high floor. He reminds me of current Cincy DB Quavo Saboor.

Xavier Starks Xavier Starks 6'0" | 176 lbs | DB Claychalkville | 2026 State AL is a really exciting defensive back prospect out of Clay-Chalkville that has put a ton of great tape together, especially in his sophomore season last fall. Starks is a hybrid safety who makes a ton of big plays against the run and pass. On tape, Starks demonstrates how much of an instinctual player he is- he does a great job reading and reacting to opposing offenses and is always in the right spot to impact plays. In coverage, Starks does a great job not biting on play fakes, can pick off and jar passes free, and consistently delivers big hits to the pass catcher should they reel any passes in. Against the run, Starks does not shy away from contact, has great pursuit, and wraps up the ball carrier really well. Starks has played and produced at a really high level and had a terrific sophomore year that has allowed for his recruitment to really open up. He has recently picked up offers from Marshall, Mississippi State, Arkansas, and more! Keep an eye on him this fall, he’s a dynamic player in Clay-Chalkville’s secondary and is set for a huge junior season!