Eric Starczala
Starczala with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2024 | |
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Offensive lineman |
| Personal information | |
| Born | August 6, 1996 Cambridge, Ontario, Canada |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 315 lb (143 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Jacob Hespeler (Cambridge) |
| University | Guelph (2014–2019) |
| CFL draft | 2019: 7th round, 62nd overall pick |
| Career history | |
| 2019 | Toronto Argonauts* |
| 2020–2021 | Toronto Argonauts* |
| 2022–2025 | Ottawa Redblacks |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Stats at CFL.ca | |
Eric Starczala (born August 6, 1996) is a Canadian professional football offensive lineman. He most recently played for the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played U Sports football at Guelph. He has also been a member of the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL.
Early life
Starczala attended Jacob Hespeler Secondary School in Cambridge, Ontario.[1]
University career
Starczala was first a member of the Guelph Gryphons football team of U Sports football from 2014 to 2018.[2] However, he did not play in 2014.[1]
Professional career
Toronto Argonauts
Starczala was selected by the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in the seventh round, with the 62nd overall pick, of the 2019 CFL draft.[3][4] He officially signed with the team on May 16, 2019.[5] Starczala was cut before the start of the 2019 CFL season, and returned to Guelph for his sixth season of U Sports football.[2]
After the 2019 U Sports football season, Starczala signed with the Argonauts again on November 25, 2019.[5] The 2020 CFL season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was later released by the Argonauts on July 28, 2021 before the start of the 2021 season.[6]
Ottawa Redblacks
Starczala was signed by the Ottawa Redblacks of the CFL on January 3, 2022.[7] He was moved to the practice roster on June 5, and was released on October 30. He later re-signed with the Redblacks on November 21, 2022.[8] He did not dress in any regular season games in 2022.[9]
Starczala was moved between the practice roster and active roster many times during the 2023 season.[10] Overall, he dressed in two games for the Redblacks that year.[9] In 2024, he again began the season on the practice roster, but due to an injury to Cyrille Hogan-Saindon, Starczala made his first career start on August 15, 2024, in the win against the Calgary Stampeders.[11][12] He played and started in the final ten games of the regular season that year and also made his playoff debut in the East Semi-Final, starting at centre in the loss to the Toronto Argonauts.[11][13]
In 2025, Starczala spent the entire season on the injured list.[14] He became a free agent upon the expiry of his contract on February 10, 2026.[15]
References
- ^ a b "Eric Starczala". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ a b Massey, Rob. "Eric Starczala: Sixth year". gryphonfootball.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Josh (May 4, 2019). "Toronto Argonauts pick Cambridge offensive lineman Eric Starczala in CFL draft". therecord.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ "Ottawa Redblacks bring back Canadian offensive lineman Eric Starczala". 3downnation.com. July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Toronto Argonauts Transactions". Footballdb.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ "Toronto Argonauts Transactions". Footballdb.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ "Ottawa RedBlacks Transactions". Footballdb.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ "Ottawa RedBlacks Transactions". Footballdb.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "2025 CFL Guide" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Ottawa RedBlacks Transactions". Footballdb.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Game notes" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ Brennan, Don (August 13, 2024). "GETTING ZIGGY WITH IT: Six seasons after being drafted, Starczala to make first CFL start". ottawacitizen.com. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
- ^ "Depth Charts: How the teams will lineup in the Division Semi-Finals". Canadian Football League. November 1, 2024.
- ^ "Game notes" (PDF). Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 15, 2026.
- ^ "Transactions – Football Player Trades and Signings". Canadian Football League. Retrieved February 15, 2026.