Flying high, living large, and apparently, landing with a plot twist! That’s the life of Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks. In a conversation with TPL Georgia, the Bulldogs players could not help but gush about his trip to participate at the SEC Media Days, where he got to be on the same jet as head coach Kirby Smart and quarterback Carson Beck. But the posh ride ended a bit roughly. And guess what the fun part is? Despite initially being scared of his co-passengers, Starks received a guarantee from HC Smart that as long as he was with him, no force could touch them, and he would be protected. Meanwhile, the DB is all set for his next level in college football.

The Bulldogs never travel economy. After all, it’s Smart and his tribe who get the best of the best treatment. Starks got lucky to fly to Dallas for the SEC Media Days on the same private jet with HC Smart and QB Beck this time. And the DB was happy to see their ride at the airport. While Starks was living in the moment, his ride soon was not so smooth. In conversation with the host, Starks shared the thrilling experience, “I was in the back so I was chilling and I was cuz I had woke up cuz I felt the plane shaking so… start shaking, I start freaking out.” But wait! He consoled himself to take a chill pill. But why!?

After all, he was sharing the ride with THE KIRBY SMART and company. “I’m sitting there and I’m like you know what I’m on a plane with Coach Smart, Carson Beck and Mykel Williams. Ain’t nothing going to happen to him,” quipped the DB. 

Smart commands what seems like a safe space for Starks as he claimed, “They got like a little shell especially Coach Smart ain’t nobody putting hands on him so I’m straight. So once I realize I’m with them I’m in the back chilling.” Now that he has a safe landing, Starks is all set to boost his play.  

Stark’s vision for victory in Year 3

During his college debut, Starks stole the spotlight by snagging an interception that gave him a starting role in every game in the freshman season that concluded with a national championship. In Year 2, the player only pursued his dream of becoming a consensus first-team All-American. So definitely, Starks has been planning something really big for his Year 3 with Smart’s Bulldogs.

And here came the DB’s big plan: “As far as my game, I want to take it to the next level whether that be anything and everything really.” Now that Starks is willing to give his everything to Georgia, he has an in-depth view of his gameplay, as he confirmed, “Vision. Tackling. Playing the ball. Whatever the case may be, I want to take it to the next level.”  

And Starks has his pointers ready about the areas he needs to consider reworking. All thanks to the then safeties coach Will Muschamp, who, during the Orange Bowl, handed him a film of his mistakes. Now that the DB is the only player who, before his third college season, has paved his way to becoming the AP All-America first-team defense, all eyes are on Malaki Starks!