Dec 2, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) makes a tackle on Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jam Miller (26) during the second half in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Malaki Starks S Georgia | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Malaki Starks S Georgia
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/27/2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.3 DOB: 11/13/2003 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 02/27/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (73%*) | |
| Age: 21.3 DOB: 11/13/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 87.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 88.6 | |
| Tackling: |
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93% |
| Run Defense: |
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93% |
| Coverage: |
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80% |
| Zone: |
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79% |
| Man/Press: |
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76% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Late
Overall Rank:
#26
Position rank:
#6
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| College Games: 41 College Snaps: 2354 | ||
ESPN RATING: 90/100
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247 RATING: 100/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.0 (98%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Cine - Georgia |
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83% |
| Daxton Hill - Michigan |
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72% |
| Antonio Johnson - Texas A&M |
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66% |
Draft Profile: Bio
The evolution of Malaki Starks from Jefferson High School track phenom to SEC defensive enforcer reads like a defensive coordinator's dream script. A decorated five-star recruit who brought a state championship in the long jump and a blazing 10.55 100-meter dash to Athens, Starks quickly proved he was more than just another athlete trying to play football. He seized a starting role as a true freshman and never looked back, starting 40 of 41 games while becoming the backbone of Georgia's championship-caliber defense.His freshman campaign sent shockwaves through the SEC, as he racked up 68 tackles and earned First-Team Freshman All-America honors. The trajectory only steepened from there – a Consensus All-American nod in 2023 validated his elite status, while his 2024 campaign showcased a fully realized defensive weapon who could diagnose, pursue, and punish with equal effectiveness. His final season statistics (77 tackles, 4 TFL) barely scratch the surface of his impact, as opposing offenses increasingly worked to avoid his sphere of influence.
What jumps off the tape isn't just the raw athleticism – though his track speed absolutely translates – but rather how quickly Starks developed the football instincts to maximize those physical gifts. His transformation from pure athlete to defensive cornerstone is a masterclass in development, culminating in a Jim Thorpe Award finalist campaign that saw him dominate in multiple phases.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Devastatingly effective run defender who processes plays at warp speed, bringing elite closing burst and surgical angles to shut down rushing lanes before they develop
- Rare combination of track speed and violent physicality shows up in his tackling – drives through ball carriers with textbook form while maintaining the explosiveness to deliver impact shots
- Shows advanced hand usage against blockers in the box, consistently creates separation with strong punch before shedding to make plays against the run
- Elite change of direction skills and short-area quickness allow him to mirror backs in space, rarely gets caught flat-footed against cutbacks or bounce-outs
- Demonstrates natural instincts in zone coverage, particularly in matching patterns and feeling routes develop behind him while keeping eyes in the backfield
- Verified 4.35 speed shows up consistently on tape, especially when ranging from deep alignment to make plays near the line of scrimmage
- High football IQ manifests in pre-snap communication and adjustment – consistently got Georgia's secondary aligned properly against motion and shifts
- Shows natural hands and body control when playing the ball in the air, tracks it early and adjusts without losing speed
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Can get overaggressive attacking downhill against play action, occasionally loses leverage in coverage when quarterbacks manipulate him with their eyes
- Press technique needs refinement, particularly against quick-twitch slots who can exploit his occasional high pad level off the line
- Will sometimes trust his recovery speed too much in man coverage, giving up initial separation before trying to close late on breaking routes
- Takes some questionable angles in pursuit when playing deep safety, leading to missed opportunities to make plays on the ball
- Could show better discipline maintaining leverage in zone coverage, occasionally gets drawn out of position by quarterback manipulation
Scouting Report: Summary
The tape reveals a defensive prospect whose elite run-defense mastery masks some limitations in coverage. While Starks flashes in zone and can recover with rare athleticism, his current coverage technique and instincts lag behind his ability to demolish running plays. His struggles transitioning against shifty slots and occasional lapses in zone discipline raise valid questions about his ceiling as a complete defensive back.Defensive schemes must account for this stark contrast early. His elite closing speed and refined tackling technique will translate immediately – he's already an elite run defender who can erase underneath throws and destroy running lanes. However, coordinators need a clear plan to protect him in coverage, particularly against teams that can isolate him in man situations or manipulate him with multiple vertical threats.
First-round talent whose immediate impact hinges heavily on scheme fit and usage. The elite athleticism and refined run-defense instincts demand early playing time, but his coverage limitations could be exposed against sophisticated passing attacks. Starks brings rare physical tools and violent play style to the position, but needs significant technical refinement before he can be trusted as a complete defensive back.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
Malaki Starks percentiles vs other Safetys (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Malaki Starks (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
14.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
3.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.