Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks made an interception against the Clemson Tigers that looked very familiar to Georgia football fans. Starks made a similar play in his college debut against the Oregon Ducks in 2022.
Both of Stars’ interceptions have a lot of similarities. Starks intercepted both passes on Week 1 in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against a highly-ranked opponent. Georgia won both games in dominant fashion.
Starks’ interception against Oregon was his coming out party. He showed the college football world that he was one of the top defensive backs in the country despite being a true freshman.
In 2024, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik showed that he has not learned about Starks’ range and tried to force the ball past him to no avail.
“This interception, right here, that he goes and high points, completely turns his head is so good,” said former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Here’s Starks’ unbelievable interception against Oregon.
https://twitter.com/GeorgiaFootball/status/1566156029821345792
Starks stayed connected with the receiver and back peddled into a position to make a play. He contorted his body to secure a ridiculous two handed catch.
In Starks’ most recent interception against Clemson, he stayed in phase with the receiver and did not have to back peddle as much. He found the ball like a wide receiver and made a fantastic play.
https://twitter.com/GeorgiaFootball/status/1829991715412840832
Georgia is 1-0 to start the 2024 college football season and Malaki Starks looks like a first-round NFL draft pick.