UGA Football's Malaki Starks Lived Up to the Hype in 2022 - What About 2023?
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ATHENS - Looking back a year ago UGA football fans heard stories about a true freshman in preseason camp that would be hard to keep off the field.
Malaki Starks, a five-star safety from Jefferson made quite an impression on players and coaches alike. They raved about his size and speed and how quickly he was picking up the defense. Little did we know how right they were.
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As the 2023 season approaches, the 6’1, 205-pound sophomore is being counted as the other, and perhaps better, half of the Georgia safety duo that is arguably the best in college football. Coming off a freshman season that saw him tally 68 total tackles, seven pass breakups and two interceptions Starks was rightfully named to the 2022 Football Writer’s Association of America’s Freshman All-American Team as well as being named a 2023 preseason All SEC player and on the Bronco Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
Those are pretty heady accolades for a player who still has two complete seasons ahead of him in Athens. And more accolades could be on the way.
A true freshman starter in 14 of 15 games last season, Starks made his presence felt with two highlight plays that stand out in every Georgia fan’s mind. The first play was against Oregon where he intercepted Ducks quarterback Bo Nix in the first quarter. His falling backwards, acrobatic catch stopped an Oregon drive but also showed how athletic this young man is.
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His second highlight play came against Missouri. In a game where the Dawgs found themselves down 13-3 midway through the second quarter, the Tigers running back took a handoff at the 36-yard line and raced untouched through the Georgia defense. Starks gave chase and brought the runner down at the UGA one-yard line. Four plays later, the Tigers settled for a field goal, keeping the Dawgs in a game they would eventually win by the same margin of points that Starks’ play saved. Finding playing time as a freshman at Georgia is difficult. Starting and making an impact is even more difficult. And Starks found a way to do both.
What should we expect from Starks in the 2023 season? Teamed with Javon Bullard and a year of experience, Starks should continue to make plays that impact games but on an increased scale. A high character player, Starks should also continue to ascend the team leader ladder and become that player whose actions and words rally his team in both good and challenging times. In a loaded Dawg secondary, Starks stands out.
After losing both Kelee Ringo and Chris Smith to the NFL, Malaki Starks brings experience and play making ability that will excite fans and leave opponents looking for another place to find points.
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