ESPN reveals exactly what makes ex-Georgia star Malaki Starks on tap for rookie breakout year with Baltimore Ravens

It's not easy making the jump from college to the NFL level, but former Georgia Bulldogs star safety Malaki Starks is making it look like a breeze. 

ESPN NFL beat reporters shared exciting updates on several high-profile 2025 NFL rookies across the league, and Starks was one of them.

According to Ravens' reporter Jamison Hensley, the reason why it's taken Starks so quickly to catch on at the next level isn't necessarily his ball skills but rather his maturity:

Starks has played with the first-team defense from the first practice of spring, and he hasn't blinked. He made a strong first impression by organizing walk-throughs at the team hotel during rookie minicamp. Since then, Starks has knocked away numerous passes by breaking on the ball. His maturity should make him an immediate impact player, - Jamison Hensley

Baltimore selected Starks with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft back in April. 

He entered the draft after tallying 197 tackles, six interceptions, and 17 passes defended over three seasons with the Bulldogs. While his overall production dipped in 2024 compared to 2023, it's important to note that he was asked to take on multiple roles in Georgia's secondary.

Regardless, he was a projected top-15 pick, so for the Ravens to land him that late in the draft was considered a steal. 

Even before selecting Starks, the Ravens were already in awe of his football IQ throughout the pre-draft process and interviews. 

And now they've been able to see it first-hand during OTAs and minicamp, where Starks took first-team reps with the rest of Baltimore's starters. 

"You throw a situation at him, and he knows," Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "He's been studying and comes prepared. I've never seen him make a real mistake yet. He's very much a pro, probably way advanced beyond his years." 

Of course, the Ravens won't get to really test Stark's maturity level and IQ until preseason games kick off in August, but so far, he's well on his way to a projected breakout rookie year.