USD’s former linebacker waiting for shining moment

It’s been nearly five months since former South Dakota linebacker Tyler Starr was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the 255th pick of the seventh round.

“It’s been enjoyable so far, but I’ve got to keep battling everyday,” said Starr after his Falcons lost 41-28 Sunday vs. the Minnesota Vikings.

Starr gained some national attention after being featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks with his family, which followed the Falcons during training camp this summer. That was a little different kind of attention than Starr received in South Dakota.

“That was a fun experience, but I couldn’t get too worked up about it because this is my job,” Starr said.

The former Coyote, who was the second to last player drafted, defied odds by making the Falcons’ 53-man roster. The Falcons drafted nine players in the 2014 NFL Draft.

Only six players stuck on the 53-man roster. Three players on the defensive side of the ball drafted before Starr were cut.

The Little Rock, Iowa native had many accolades during his Coyote football career. He was the first player in school history to win Missouri Valley Football Conference Player of the Year and his 27 career sacks are tied for the school record.

Starr’s play never ceased to amaze USD head coach Joe Glenn during their two years together. Glenn said Starr’s biggest impact couldn’t be found on a stat sheet: intimidation.

“Every quarterback knew where he was at all times,” Glenn said. “He was a force every practice and it carried over to the games.”

But Glenn said there are zero guarantees when it comes to playing at the next level.

“(The Falcons) have a lot of veterans who have proved themselves, which makes it even more impressive,” Glenn said. “I’ve coached players that have made it to the NFL, and I can say it is just so hard to get on a roster like that.”

With his long blonde hair, Starr is hard to miss on the sidelines. Unfortunately, that can’t quite yet be said on the field thus far. Each week, every team in the NFL has to list seven players inactive.

Starr has fallen victim to the inactive list, being on it each of his team’s four games.

“I just have to wait for my time to get on the field,” Starr said. “I’m working hard every practice until my number is called on game day.”

Fellow draft class teammates Dezmen Southward, a third round pick and safety from the University of Wisconsin, and Prince Shembo, a fourth round pick and linebacker from Notre Dame, agree that despite coming from a small school, Starr has what it takes to produce in the NFL.

“He looks good in practice. He works hard,” Southward said. “I’ve been impressed with him.”

Shembo, whose locker was next to Starr’s at TCF Bank Stadium in Minnesota, gets the chance to see Starr up-close on a daily basis during linebacker drills in practice. Shembo said Starr’s game — paired with his long hair — made it pretty easy to recognize him early on.

“I’ve been impressed with him for awhile now,” Shembo said. “I always say he’s like Clay Matthews not just because he looks like him, but he plays like him too. He’s got a real bright future.”

Starr gained the attention of his peers, but what’s important for him right now is to continue working hard and stay patient, according to Falcons starting defensive end Kroy Biermann.

Biermann, like Starr, was a late round pick from a small college who specializes in sacking the quarterback. Biermann was drafted in the fifth round in 2008 out of the University of Montana.

“I was raised on hard work and dedication. That’s what got me here,” Biermann said. “I think he knows that’s what he’s got to keep doing, because that’s what will make him see the field when we need him.”

Starr says he is making sure to stay patient and take each day one at a time, but is sure of his pride to be one of the few NFL players to represent the University of South Dakota.

“I have a lot of pride in being a Coyote, and I’m very proud to represent them in the NFL,” Starr said. “We’ll see where my hard work takes me.”

Starr and the Falcons travel to East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday to take on the New York Giants.