Veteran defensive back Malaki Starks spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's opener against Clemson. It will be the second time Starks has played in Mercedes-Benz Stadium to open a season, the first being in 2022 when he made his presence known in his first career game with a jaw-dropping interception en route to a 49-3 victory.
Looking back to that game, Starks remembers being ready to finally play.
“I just wanted to get in, that was really about it," Starks said. "I just wanted to go out there and play, and I didn’t want to let down the team. I had the chance to get in but just tried to enjoy it. I talked to my mom that morning and she told me 'You know you only get one chance to be a freshman so, enjoy it while you got it'."
As a leader of the defense now two years later, Starks is using that experience to prepare the new breed of Bulldogs like freshman defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson IV. Starks said he's been saying much of what was said to him back in 2022. All of the hard work put in this fall will pay off, it just has to be trusted. Ultimately, it's about all 11 on the field.
"You know you’re not out there by yourself, you know you got plenty of other guys with you,” Starks said.
As for the team being ready to get out and hit someone in a different uniform, Starks made it clear what this fall has been about.
"Bleed in training until you don't bleed in battle," Starks said.
Photo via UGA Athletics
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