Georgia star Malaki Starks might be the best Bulldogs NFL Draft defensive prospect in over 20 years
Breaking news: Georgia has another elite defensive prospect who everyone should know in the 2025 NFL Draft class. At this point, it’s become routine to see the next wave of NFL defensive stars come out of Athens. In the case of star safety Malaki Starks, he isn’t continuing the pipeline. He’s raising it even higher. […]
Breaking news: Georgia has another elite defensive prospect who everyone should know in the 2025 NFL Draft class. At this point, it’s become routine to see the next wave of NFL defensive stars come out of Athens. In the case of star safety Malaki Starks, he isn’t continuing the pipeline. He’s raising it even higher.
There is an argument, and one I would make, that Starks is the best overall defensive prospect that we have seen so far under head coach Kirby Smart. That list is impressive, including names like Travon Walker, Jalen Carter, and Jordan Davis recently. Carter is an interesting comparison for Starks, who obviously plays a much different position but has an argument as a more premier player at the spot he plays.
Everyone knew that Starks was a stud entering the 2024 college football season. That wasn’t a secret. Starks still somehow managed to do something that everyone wasn’t ready for, hauling in one of the sickest interceptions you are ever going to see.
For a split second on the broadcast, it looks like Starks was a cornerback, not a safety. We have gotten so used to making these kinds of things routine the last two plus seasons that sometimes we take it for granted. Don’t be late, folks. This is a blue chip and elite level draft prospect.
Eye in the sky
Leaving Summer Scouting, Starks was my top ranked overall player. If his grade ended there, he would be my top ranked safety ever, besting Kyle Hamilton in the 2022 NFL Draft class. For anyone who has followed me, you know how high I was on Hamilton coming out of Notre Dame. He was a unicorn.
When it comes to Starks, he brings a very different style to the table. At a listed 6-1 and 205 pounds, the Georgia star makes his best plays working from depth. With outstanding overall athleticism and ball skills, Starks has the unique ability to line up anywhere on the field. Whether it’s as a single high safety, two high, short zone, or even in man, his coverage versatility is impressive to watch.
While his coverage ability is his calling card, Starks is also a densely built defender who can also make his impact known in the run game. He has a good level of hit power, and does a nice job coming to balance in space. Starks is a sure tackler who will have no problem tackling all different body types in 1-on-1 situations. There really is no hole in his game, just your occasional overthink.
over the last 20 years, the Bulldogs have also put out names like linebackers Thomas Davis and Roquon Smith. Once again, both are good, but Starks is a better prospect. There is a strong case that Starks is potentially the best Bulldogs defender come out in at least that time frame, if not earlier. He is special.
