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Safety Malaki Starks is one of the most interesting players in the 2025 NFL draft cycle. The three-year Georgia Bulldog player started out as the No. 4 recruit in the class of 2022.
Jefferson was ranked as a five-star out of Jefferson High School, where Starks played football, basketball, and track and field. Georgia knew they were getting a freakish athlete when he joined the Bulldogs, and he didn’t disappoint.
Now that his Georgia career is over and he’s preparing for the NFL draft, here’s a scouting report on Malaki Starks:
Physical Attributes/Measurements
All Measurements are according to the NFL’s website.
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 197 pounds
- Arm Length: 31 5/8″
- Hand Length: 9 1/2″
Combine Measurements
- 40-yard Dash: 4.5 seconds (11th among S)
- 10-yard Split: 1.51 seconds (t-5th among S)
- Vertical Jump: 33″ (13th among S)
- 3-cone Drill: 7.26 seconds (6th among S)
- 20-yard Shuffle: 4.45 (7th among S)
Starks impressed draft scouts the most with his performance in on-field drills during the combine. Starks showing outstanding play speed and mobility.
College Production
2022: 68 tackles, 2 tackles for loss (TFLs), 2 interceptions (INT), 7 passes defended, 67.1 PFF grade in 15 games
2023: 52 tackles, 0 TFLs, 3 INT, 7 passes defended, 81.1 PFF grade in 14 games
2024: 77 tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 INT, 3 passes defended, 78.3 PFF grade in 15 games
Best Games (according to PFF grade)
- 2023 vs. Ball State: 92.9 PFF grade, 2 tackles, 1 interception
- 2022 vs. Oregon: 85.5 PFF grade, 8 tackles, 1 interception
- 2023 at Auburn: 84.4 PFF grade, 5 tackles, 1 interception
Worst Games (according to PFF grade)
- 2022 vs. Kent State: 36.2 PFF grade, 6 tackles
- 2022 SEC Championship vs. LSU: 39.5 PFF grade, 4 tackles
- 2023 SEC Championship vs. Alabama: 49.8 PFF grade, 8 tackles
Overview
Starks is a rangy safety that can cover any side of the field with his athleticism and speed. His high football IQ and quickness help prevent a strong-armed quarterback from taking the top off of the defense. He can phase deep routes easily with his speed, and his amazing body control leads to some amazing interceptions.
His weaknesses mostly involve man run defense. He is just okay at shedding blocks as a free safety. He tends to slow down when trying to tackle a running back. He also guesses wrong on man coverage routes, especially when Georgia was using him as the nickel.
While his versatility as free safety and nickel corner could be an interesting play when he gets to the NFL, his best play comes when he is asked to play the center fielder role of the defense.
Starks’ NFL player comparison, projected landing spots
NFL Draft Comparison: Jessie Bates
Projected Selection: Mid to late first-round pick
Mock draft landing spots: Miami Dolphins (No. 13), Atlanta Falcons (No. 15), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19), Baltimore Ravens (No. 27)
NFL Draft Prospect Grade: 6.34 (will eventually be plus starter)
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