CARD: Playoff Contenders 2004
ACQUIRED: Private Break, 2020

CAREER SNAPSHOT:

• Kendrick Starling played WR at Navarro JC in 1999 and 2000.
• He caught 111 passes for 2305 yards and 26 TDs.
• Joined Marshall University for 2001, and later transferred for San Jose State in 2002.
• Kendrick Starling played for the Spartans for two years.
• In 23 games he had 77 receptions for 899 yards and 5 TDs.
• He also led the conference in yards per return on kick returns, averaging 28.1 yards on 20 returns, netting 562 yards.
• Undrafted in 2004, he’d sign with the Houston Texans.
• He made the squad that year, used primarily on special teams seeing action in 8 contests.
• In 2005 Starling hopped around practice squads, leaving the Texans for Seattle, and later in the season for New Orleans.
• Rejoined the Texans in 2006 and was allocated to NFL Europa to play for the Rhein Fire.
• A long bomb threat, Kendrick caught 13 passes for 320 yards and 3 TDs, and lead the league with 24.6 yards per reception.
• After being waived by the Texans after camp in 2006, Starling signed with the Eskimos the following year in 2007.
• He’d catch 2 passes for 18 yards for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that season in 3 contests.
• In 2025, Starling was sentenced to 25 years in prison for abuse of a child.

NOTES:

The Texans during this period were always looking for a long bomb solution to groom next to Andre Johnson. Someone who could also be a special teams kick or punt returner as well. Starling fit that bill and I remember really hoping he’d pan out. He was considered a deep sleeper entering the draft. He quickly developed into a guy you could cheer for, with a fun personality, style, but a humble willingness to learn. Unfortunately things did not work out for him.