Starks attended St. Francis de Sales School where he was a part of the high school football team. He then went to Capital University in Columbus where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio/TV/Film. After an unfortunate injury took him out of the sport, James returned to college and earned his Master of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism at Kent State University. While in college, James was a member of the football team where he excelled as a two-time All-American at defensive back.