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James Starks (born February 25, 1986) is a former running back for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the sixth round with the 193rd pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Buffalo.
College career[]
Starks enjoyed a standout career at Buffalo. He set a career rushing record with 3,140 yards, and scored 40 total touchdowns. He registered back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons as a junior and sophomore. He was one of the elite backs in the MAC and the nation and became the first 1,000-yard rusher in the Bulls' Division I-A era. He also became the first UB freshman to earn All-MAC honors in 2006. He was named to the All-MAC Second Team as a freshman and sophomore, and was named to the All-MAC First Team as a junior.
Starks did not play in his senior season due to a shoulder injury, hampering his standing for the NFL Draft.
Professional career[]
Green Bay Packers[]
Starks was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the sixth round, 193rd overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. Due to the persisting shoulder injury suffered at Buffalo before, he was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list with hopes he would return during the season.
He was activated off the PUP list on November 10, 2010, and made his NFL debut on December 5, 2010 against the San Francisco 49ers, where he had 18 carries for 73 yards. The performance was the highest total in rushing yards for a Packer in his debut game.
A month later in the NFC Wildcard game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Starks set a Packers postseason record for being the first rookie to rush for 100 yards (123 yards on 23 carries) and leading the Packers to beat the Eagles 21-16. He scored his first career touchdown in the NFC Championship game against the Chicago Bears. He then ran for 52 yards on 11 carries in the Packers Super Bowl XLV victory.
Starks led the Packers in rushing in 2011 with 578 yards. But his physical style of play led him to miss three games.
In 2012, Starks dealt with turf toe in September and a bone bruise in December. As a result, he only played in 6 games.
In 2013, Starks had some quality moments. His most notable moment came in Week 2 against the Washington Redskins, when he rushed for 132 yards on 20 carries, becoming the first Packer to have 100 rushing yards in the regular season since Brandon Jackson in 2010, also against the Redskins. The next week, Starks suffered a knee injury that led to him missing the next 3 games. In his absence, rookie Eddie Lacy became the feature back.
In 2014, Starks signed a two year deal and became more of an elusive runner, making defenders miss instead of running them over. As a result he played in all 16 games.
In 2015, Starks received more playing time due to Lacy violating team curfew and being out of shape. He played in all 16 games, starting 4, and had career highs in rushing yards, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
In 2016, Starks signed another 2 year deal. In October, he dealt with a death in his family and had surgery to repair a torn meniscus. On December 12, Starks was in a car accident and got placed in concussion protocol.
He was released in February, ending his career.
Statistics[]
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- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com
