2013
Became the first Coyote to be named MVFC Defensive Player of the Year ... finished ninth in the voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, which honors the top defensive player in the FCS ... was named to numerous All-America Teams including Beyond Sports Network (first team), The Sports Network (second team), and Associated Press (second team) ... accepted invitation to compete in the East-West Shrine Bowl ... drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the seventh round of the NFL Draft in the spring ... played in all 12 games and made 11 starts ... tied USD's career record for sacks with 27.0 ... all 27 career sacks were solo ... led the MVFC in sacks (9.0), tackles for loss (15.0) and forced fumbles (4) ... finished second on the team in tackles with 71 ... also had an interception and was credited with four pass breakups ... nationally, finished 16th in total sacks, 25th in total tackles for loss and sixth in forced fumbles ... among active FCS players in 2013, finished first in career forced fumbles (13), second in solo tackles for loss (39.0) and third in career solo sacks (27.0) ... had two sacks in three of the first five games of the season ... had a season-high eight tackles twice and had at least six stops in each of the last eight games of the season ... averaged seven yards of loss per sack and compiled 80 yards of loss on 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage
2012
Played in all 11 games and was one of 14 Coyotes with at least 10 starts, he at outside linebacker...second-team all-MVFC honoree...finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Outstanding Defensive Player)...named USD Joe Salem Defensive Player of the Year...College Sports Journal honorable mention All-America Team...tied for third on the team with 74 tackles (34 solo, 40 assists)...led the team and was 18th in the MVFC in sacks with four...also had seven tackles-for-loss, two pass breakups, four hurries, two forced fumbles and a blocked extra point...had a season-high 18 tackles against Youngstown State (Nov. 3)...had 11 tackles against Northwestern (9/22)...MVFC Honor Roll.
2011
Had a breakout sophomore season for the Coyotes on the defensive line...Led the team and conference with 14 sacks for 96 yards, while ranking in the the top 10 nationally in sacks...Tallied a team-high seven forced fumbles to go along wit htwo fumble recoveries for 12 yards...Had a team and conference-high 19 tackles for loss for 106 yards..Ranked third on the team in solo tackles with 42 and was sixth in total tackles with 51...In one season, his 14 sacks ranks him second all-time in school history in career sacks...Earned first team all-conference honors and was a first team all-conference selection according to the media...Earned Great West Conference Player of the Week honors for his seven tackles, one sack and three forced fumbles in his first collegiate game at Air Force in the season opener, while earning CFPA Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for his efforts...Also was a multiple CFPA weekly honoree.
2010
Did not play during the 2010 season...named USD's Defensive Scout of the Week twice during the season...named USD's Defensive Scout of the Year.
2009
Redshirted his first season in the USD program...named USD's Scout Defensive Player of the Week twice during the season.
Prep
Named to All-Northwest Iowa squad...two-time All-District first team...part of Central Lyon/George-Little Rock team that finished 13-1 and qualified for state championship game...named All-District 1 first-team as senior...finished with 128 tackles, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries...also caught 23 passes for 312 yards and 10 touchdowns...played in three state title games...also played in state basketball championship in 2008.
Personal
Son of Tom Starr and Tom & Shellie Ver Steeg...recreation major with a minor in coaching.
