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UNC offers 4-star DL Joel Starlings after decommitting from Michigan

PeterWarrenPhoto2by:Peter Warren•01/18/22•

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UNC has extended an offer to Richmond (VA.) Benedictine Prep defensive lineman Joel Starlings, less than two days after the four-star prospect decommitted from Michigan.

Starlings is the No. 219 overall player in the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He is the third-best player from the state of Virginia behind only Ashburn (Va.) Broad Run four-star offensive lineman Alex Birchmeier and Heathsville (Va.) Northumberland four-star athlete Cameron Seldon.

Starlings originally committed to the Wolverines one day after the team’s momentous victory over Ohio State, a game in which Starlings was in attendance.

Shaun Nua was his primary recruiter at Michigan. Nua recently left for USC, and that led Starlings to decommit from the school Sunday.

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“I would like to give thanks to God for blessing me, and giving me the tools and abilities to play the sport I love,” Starlings said in his statement on Twitter. “I would like to thank the University of Michigan for showing the hospitality they’ve shown to me and my family. With the changing of the coaching situation at my position at The University of Michigan, me and my family have decided to re-open my recruitment from here on out. With this decision I will be keeping all options open to other schools.”

The four commits currently in the 2023 Michigan recruiting class are Tallahassee (Fla.) Lincoln four-star linebacker Raylen Wilson, Milton (Mass.) Milton Academy four-star tight end Andrew Rappleyea, West Bloomfield (Mich.) wide receiver Semaj Morgan and Ann Arbor (Mich.) Huron kicker Adam Samaha.

The Tar Heels have one commit in the 2023 cycle: Cornelius (N.C.) William Amos Hough three-star quarterback Tad Hudson.