NFL personnel made the trip to Athens, Georgia, on Wednesday to evaluate some of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft at UGA’s Pro Day.
Georgia and head coach Kirby Smart have produced the most draft picks (49) over the last four drafts, including an NFL record 15 selections in 2022.
UGA sent 14 players to the combine in February. Most of those star prospects, along with others who weren’t invited to Indianapolis, performed in front of a large group of NFL head coaches, executives and scouts on Wednesday.
In a group that also includes top defensive prospects like Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker, it was safety Malaki Starks that garnered an exciting response from Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, according to Graham Coffey of Dawgs Central.
After Starks showed off his athleticism and ball skills in a drill, Ulbrich reportedly responded by calling the three-time All-American “the safest pick in the draft.”
“Goodness gracious,” Ulbrich said. “That’s different. That might be the safest pick in the draft.”
Starks (6-foot-1, 197 pounds) signed with the Bulldogs as a five-star recruit out of Jefferson, Georgia, in the class of 2022. He immediately made his presence felt among other future NFL draft picks and ultimately earned a starting role as a true freshman.
Starks earned Freshman All-American honors after Georgia secured a second consecutive national championship in a 15-0 season.
Now established in his role, Starks put together a stellar season as a sophomore, earning consensus All-American honors. And Starks, a First-Team All-American as a junior, was the unquestioned leader of Georgia’s secondary last season.
Starks finished his career in Athens with 197 total tackles (6 for loss) with 17 pass breakups and six interceptions. Starks played every single game (47) through his three seasons at Georgia.
Where Starks will land in the draft is certainly left up to debate at this point. Ulbrich’s Falcons currently hold the No. 15 overall pick, and Georgia fans would probably excited for Starks to remain home.
According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the talented safety should at least land within the first-round.
“He’s a pure football player with a high I.Q.,” Kiper said on “First Draft.” “If he gets to the late first round, somebody’s gonna grab this kid. He’s not getting to the second round. I can’t see it, but I do think he could be a steal in the late first round. Malaki Starks is a heck of a football player.”
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Leave a Reply