Malaki Starks Named Finalist for Prestigious Award

Originally posted on FanNation Dawgs Daily
By Brooks Austin | Last updated 10/31/23

Georgia's starting safety, Malaki Starks has been named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, awarded to the nation's top defensive back, it was announced today by the University.

Below is the statement from UGAA:

Georgia’s Malaki Starks Named Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist

ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia sophomore safety Malaki Starks has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation’s top defensive back, according to an announcement from the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame Tuesday.

Christopher Smith, who currently suits up for the Las Vegas Raiders, was a Bulldog semifinalist in 2022. Former Georgia All-American Deandre Baker won the 2018 Thorpe Award.

Starks, a native of Jefferson, Ga., has started every game during Georgia’s undefeated start this season. He is third on the team with 29 tackles and has two interceptions. Starks has anchored a defense that leads the SEC and is ranked seventh nationally in Scoring Defense (14.8 points/game) and that stands eighth nationally in Total Defense (272.1 yards/game). In addition, the Bulldogs hold a national-leading 25 percent mark for Third Down Defense.

The No. 1 Bulldogs (8-0, 5-0 SEC) play host on Dooley Field in Sanford Stadium to No. 14 Missouri (7-1, 3-1) in a Homecoming matchup on Saturday. CBS will televise the matchup at 3:30 p.m. ET.