UGA Football: Starks Named Thorpe Award National DB Of The Week

ATHENS, Ga. — Bulldog junior safety Malaki Starks has been named the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award National DB of the Week following Georgia’s win over No. 14 Clemson, according to an announcement Wednesday.

Starks, native of Jefferson, Ga., returned to the spot of his first collegiate interception in 2021 and snagged his sixth career pick during the Bulldogs’ 34-3 demolition of the Tigers in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta. Starks, who started at safety and also played at the star position, added a pair of tackles as the Tigers were kept to only 188 yards on 52 plays.  Starks’ INT was an acrobatic snag in the game’s final quarter to help seal the victory.

Starks was a finalist for the Thorpe Award in 2023.

No. 1 Georgia plays host to Tennessee Tech (0-1, 0-0 OVC) in Athens on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium on Saturday.  Kickoff is scheduled for 2:02 p.m. and the SEC Network+/ESPN+ will stream the matchup.