As a redshirt freshman, he won the starting quarterback job, although he suffered a broken leg in the season-opener against UCLA.
[12] After replacing Hicks in a 31–17 loss to Ole Miss, Starkel was named the Razorbacks starter for their game against Colorado State, throwing for 305 yards and three touchdowns in a 55–34 win.
Starkel announced he would transfer from Arkansas after one season, later citing conflict with head coach Chad Morris and offensive coordinator Joe Craddock.
[15] After Starkel put his name in the transfer portal, former San Jose State football player Josh Love reached out to Starkel and informed him the San Jose State coaches were interested in a transfer quarterback and put the two sides in touch.
[20][21] After not being selected in the 2022 NFL draft, Starkel attended the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets' rookie minicamps but was not signed.