Scouting Journals for Malaki Starks

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.

Malaki Starks faced off against fellow Georgia commit Gunner Stockton and Rabun County High. The game was paused due to weather and shortened by Jefferson's ball control, option offense. Starks kept the chains moving and finished with 74 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries. He was largely hemmed in by the Rabun County defense and wasn’t able to show his patented athleticism in the open field. With that said, we did get to see the five-star’s toughness and physicality on display.

The 6-foot-1, 208-pounder is an option quarterback at Jefferson High and led his team to a state title appearance as a junior. Starks is a game-breaking run threat from under center, rushing for over 1,500 yards in 2020. He’s capable of ripping off long chunk runs with regularity. We also see Starks flip over to the defense, as a safety. In addition to the on-field bona fides, Starks is also an elite athlete. He had a very strong track season in the spring, running the 100 meters in 10.55 seconds.

Malaki Starks had a huge game in the state semi-finals. Starks made big plays on both sides of the ball in the 42-35 win over Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine. The touted junior rushed for 321 yards and four touchdowns as an option quarterback. He also threw another touchdown. Starks pulled double duty as a safety and picked off Benedictine quarterback and fellow 2022 prospect Holden Geriner in the end zone to ice the game. The complete performance is further indication that Starks is one of the better all-around football players in the state of Georgia and the 2022 cycle as a whole.