Georgia football: Malaki Starks makes explosive debut with pick

Welcome to the SEC Malaki Starks — what a way to make a debut as a Georgia football player. Late in the first quarter, Oregon attempted to go deep, and instead, the true freshman stretched further than he could to pull down the game’s first turnover.

Mercedes Benz Stadium erupted as the first turnover in the books for the Dawgs. Georgia scored on a reverse to Ladd McConkey, and after the Ducks got a bit of momentum, this interception came at the perfect moment.

What a way to start a freshman campaign with an impressive interception. Starks has been someone that has been impressing the coaching staff, and it showed right away on the field.

Georgia football safety Malaki Starks makes an explosive interception during the first quarter.

That interception was a huge momentum booster for the Dawgs and came at a time that could have resulted in a big play for the Ducks. Instead, he gave the ball back to the offense and let them pick up where they left off with its high-tempo offense.

Starks was part of the 2022 recruiting class and was probably the best safety in the country coming out of high school, so it’s great to see him producing in game one of the season. Georgia will need him and some of the other youngsters to help out on defense this season, and that interception just earned a lot more reps out there.

The athleticism this interception took from Starks should not get overlooked because he had to stretch like a superhero to make the play. That athleticism is what Georgia needs at the safety position with Lewis Cine gone, and they got it with Starks.

What an exciting moment in the first quarter for the Dawgs as they look to put Oregon to bed sooner than later. Starks is that man, though, and it’ll be fun to watch what he does the rest of the game and season.