Jake Starcevic’s college football recruiting checklist included a “big-time FBS program, great facilities, awesome culture and amazing coaches.”
Starcevic didn’t have Army on his radar before offensive line coach Matt Drinkall’s recruiting. But as Starcevic learned more about the football program, visited West Point during an April 6 spring scrimmage and talked on Drinkall’s stop in Kindred, N.D., he realized Army checked all of his boxes for the future.
The Kindred linebacker committed to Drinkall Sunday night.
“It’s (Army) is everything you want in a college football experience,” Starcevic said. “I clicked with all of the coaches and they all are good, genuine guys.”
Drinkall’s North Dakota visit played a role in Starcevic’s commitment.
“It was awesome,” said Starcevic, who is 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. “He obviously didn’t have to do that but he did and it showed how serious they were about me. I was really leaning that way after the visit and that definitely helped for my family that wasn’t on the visit with me.”
Army was Starcevic’s only current FBS offer. He was also recruited by Minnesota, Kansas State and Michigan State. FCS North Dakota offered Starcevic. North Dakota State, South Dakota State and Montana State also showed interest.
Starcevic said Army is giving him the option to play outside linebacker, inside linebacker or H-back. He’s played quarterback and outside linebacker the last two seasons. Starcevic was a tight end/wide receiver and outside linebacker his first two seasons.
“I just felt like I fit well there (at Army),” Starcevic said. “I’m going to be surrounded by a bunch of people similar to me and I know that we will all bring each other up on our journey.”
Starcevic, who likes to hunt and fish, said his interests are academics, lifting and football.
“There’s not much else that I do,” Starcevic said. “One of the reasons it felt like a good fit.”
