Malaki Starks does it all for Jefferson High School. His standout athleticism has allowed him to be involved as a running back, wide receiver, defensive back, and even play quarterback.
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Starks is a five-star recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite, and many scouts believe he is the real deal in Georgia.
ATH Malaki Starks Recruiting
https://twitter.com/MalakiStarks/status/1323428893546717186?s=20
RELATED: Kirby Smart Snags Top-10 Inside Linebacker Away from Rivals
Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia were in the best positions to land athlete Malaki Starks, any many other interested teams were fighting for his commitment.
Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, LSU, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, USC, and Virginia Tech all got involved in the sweepstakes.
Starks narrowed his decision down to three favorites. The Crimson Tide and the Tigers have more recent national championship victories (and aren't too shabby at securing five-star recruits), but UGA snags in-state athletes at a high level.
Athens was able to get yet another five-star recruit from the class of 2022.
Starks Commits to Georgia
Breaking: Top 100 ATH Malaki Starks stays home, commits to Georgia. #GoDawgs
“The feeling I have about Georgia, and when I am at Georgia, it is different.”
Story: https://t.co/mvinUQ3nsb
• @JeffersonFootba @ReuseRecruiting @SmallwoodTrent @adamgorneypic.twitter.com/X2YK9R0nKL
— ChadSimmons (@ChadSimmons_) March 25, 2021
Starks committed to Georgia on March 25, marking a big get for head coach Kirby Smart.
"One thing I like about Georgia, I like their playing style. It feels like family whenever I go there and their environment is crazy when you go there. I feel like I see myself in that jersey. I can have a great future there," he said in a video posted to Twitter.
Things could change between now and signing day. For now, Malaki Starks is a 'Dawg.
Malaki Starks Highlights
High school football allows for this versatility when you're as talented as Starks is. Head coach Kirby Smart will have to figure out a position for Starks when he gets to campus.
Some scouts believe that Starks will make a great linebacker and should have a legitimate chance at making the NFL if he can be developed properly.
As a member of the Dragons, Starks rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 17 touchdowns in 2020, his junior year. He also got to throw 35 passes and help lead his team to the playoffs.
On defense, he played safety and made some incredible tackles. His teammate, Jordan Perry, is an exceptional talent in his own right.
The hype is real: Malaki Starks has been all over the field in high school and should bring that firepower to the NCAA and SEC.
Starks is committed to Georgia, and the Bulldogs could develop him into a talented starter at whichever position they decide.
This post was originally published on December 15, 2020 but was updated following Starks' commitment to Georgia.
