2 min read • March 02, 2025
Posted in
The top rated safety from Georgia in this year’s draft made a full recovery from an offseason labrum procedure before the start of this past college football season. Starks said he tweaked the shoulder in preseason of the 2023 campaign and aggravated it again in the third or fourth week of the regular season that year. “I figured out before the Bama game that I needed surgery,” he said of the SEC championship game loss. Notably, still played in the Orange Bowl against Florida State, a non-playoff game where he could have chosen to sit out.
After the surgery, he participated in spring football in a non-contact capacity but once training camp started for the 2024 season, head coach Kirby Smart said “I wasn’t even thinking of him as an injury guy.” His final season of college football saw him start all 14 games for Georgia and compile 52 tackles and an interception. The elite defensive back played 43 games in his career with 6 interceptions.
Running a 4.50 in the forty and posting a 33" vertical may not have turned heads, but Malaki Starks shined where it mattered most. During on-field position drills, he put on a clinic—flawless hands, precise movement, and the same playmaking ability that made him a standout every Saturday for Georgia. He’s still projected to be a top 10 pick in the NFL draft whose professional comparison has been listed as that of Brian Branch. He is excellent in man coverage, can cover slot receivers and has an excellent football IQ. His performance in the combine shouldn't affect his status and there are no indications that the torn labrum before last season is still a concern.
Sign up to our FREE Weekly Newsletter here for all of our best injury-insights, free injury-based picks and special offers!
SIC PICKS ARE BASED ON INSIDER INJURY KNOWLEDGE FROM FORMER PRO SPORTS TEAM DOCTORS TO GIVE YOU A WINNING EDGE IN SPORTS BETTING!
SIC PICKS are powered by the proven SIC Score algorithms from our exclusive panel of former Pro Sports Team doctors to give you a sports betting edge. Each day our team of doctors analyze the players and teams and share their expert insights to help you make informed bets on the biggest unknown to sportsbooks and sports bettors - player health and injuries!
For our Best Bets including spreads, totals, props and live in game with instant alerts as game day opportunities arise with research notes, sign up to SIC Picks here for less than $2 a day on an annual plan.
Sign up to SIC Picks today to get our picks sent direct to your cell!
Written by
