New Georgia WR claps back at the haters who are calling him out for being a 3-star

Although Georgia just barely cracked the top five for its 2026 recruiting class, keep in mind that many of these players are not going to be major contributors to this team any time soon, or at all... Yes, you have to play the law of large numbers to your advantage here, but every so often a well-thought-of recruiter like Kirby Smart finds a diamond in the rough. Maybe he found another one with this player?

Aden Starling may only be a 2027 recruit, but he decided to take his three-star talent to Athens by Committing to the G on Thursday. According to the 247Sports Composite, he is the No. 95 player from Texas in his class, the No. 101 wide receiver, and the No. 783 player in the 2027 cycle. Surely, the Georgia offer, him committing, and then another season of football could have as a four-star soon.

Of course, Starling has the perfect role model in former three-star and UGA legend Ladd McConkey.

For those who may need a refresher, McConkey was a talented athlete coming out of high school in North Georgia. He played quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back and contributed on special teams at North Murray. While he may have loved playing quarterback, he decided he needed to focus on being a receiver in recruitment to have his best shot at success. He would become a Georgia star.

McConkey is one of the best examples on the recruiting trail Smart could ever hope to use for UGA.

Aden Starling looks to pattern his game after Ladd McConkey at Georgia

While there may be some overlap with their respective games, playing the same position and all, Starling has to be his own player, just like McConkey was before him. What made McConkey so special at Georgia and now in his second season with the Los Angeles Chargers was his lateral quickness and his willingness to make the big-time play whenever his team needs him to the most.

Since 2000, McConkey is in rarified air as easily one of the three greatest receivers to play at Georgia. He is right up there with A.J. Green, and probably ahead of George Pickens, if we are being totally honest... Depending on how the rest of this season goes, maybe Zachariah Branch can join them to make it a foursome? McConkey was mocked a lot early in his career, but he proved everybody wrong.

So while we still have a long road ahead of us before Starling even puts pen to paper, now is not the time to knock him for his three-star status at this stage of the game. McConkey was underrecruited. So was Todd Gurley to some extent. David Pollack was something like a two-star, and what about Stetson Bennett IV? Just because a guy has stars next to his name does not mean he can really play.

For now, Starling must continue to put in the work to prove everyone who has doubted him wrong.