As a College Recruit
Two-way high school standout as an option quarterback and safety who projects as a back-seven defender at the college level. One of the best overall football players in the state of Georgia dating back to his junior season. Sports a sterling athletic profile with elite marks as a sprinter and jumper in track and field in addition to playing basketball at 6-foot-1 and over 200 pounds. Transfers that athleticism over to the field where he is a home-run threat with the ball in his hands. Consistently out runs opposing defenses in the open field with an easy, long stride. A smart, heady player who displays toughness in taking a bunch of hits as an option quarterback. Led his team to a state title appearance as a junior. While he does see some time at safety, Starks remains a bit of an unknown projection as a defensive prospect, as he largely plays as a deep center field safety at Jefferson.
Reminds Us Of
Like Landon Collins, Malaki Starks is an elite athlete who was a two-way star at the high school level before ultimately projecting to safety at the college level. Collins was the On3 Consensus’ No. 3 overall prospect in the 2012 cycle out of Geismar (La.) Dutchtown. The 6-foot, 210-pound Collins ran for over 1,200 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior while averaging 13.7 yards per carry. He was also a top sprinter with personal bests of 10.28 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.60 seconds in the 200 meters. Collins also won the SPARQ national championship at The Opening Finals with a 4.39 second 40-yard dash and 40.6 vertical. Starks was a dynamic option quarterback at Jefferson (Ga.) High, rushing for 1,537 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior. Like Collins, he was also a top sprinter at 6-foot-1, 208 pounds, posting bests of 10.55 seconds and 21.67 seconds in the 100 and 200 meters, respectively.
