Georgia Football: 5 freshmen who will make an immediate impact this year

2. Malaki Starks, athlete/ defensive back

Listed as an athlete on the official roster for Georgia, Malaki Starks will mainly see time serving as a defensive back for the Dawgs’ defense. As a two-way athlete in high school, Starks understands football at a different level, plus is extremely versatile, so the Dawgs picked up a good one in him.

At 6-1 and 205-pounds, this freshman out of Jefferson, Ga., is primed to make a huge stamp with this Georgia defense. His long lengthed arms help with his ability to get around the ball carrier and strip the ball. He is a quick-twitched athlete, allowing him to keep up with any opposing offensive player.

He was a huge help for the Black Team in winning this year’s spring game with a team-leading five tackles.

With the departure of Lewis Cine at the free safety spot, he could be looking to serve as a major help behind the senior Chris Smith. However, he could also be a great star asset as that versatility will serve him well.

Regardless of where the coaches use him, Starks will likely see a lot of time on the field in 2022 as Georgia’s secondary needs all hands on deck.