Malaki Starks opens up on relationship with Champ Bailey, reacts to comparisons between them

Malaki Starks has been a star for Georgia from his first game as a true freshman. There is still a full season to play but Starks is already being compared to some of the greatest defensive backs in program history. Kirby Smart mentioned the name Champ Bailey, quite praise from the head coach considering he was one of Bailey’s teammates.

Turns out, there is a relationship between Starks and Bailey, dating back to when the former was growing up. Starks knows being compared to him is an honor.

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“I knew Champ growing up,” Starks said during Thursday’s episode of The Paul Finebaum Show. “He’s kind of been like a big uncle to me. Anytime someone compares you to Champ Bailey, that’s not bad at all.”

Smart likened Starks to Bailey following Georgia’s big season-opening win against Clemson. Starks made an incredible interception while in man coverage downfield, similar to one he made against Oregon back in 2022. Seeing how Starks’ body contorted to make the catch was when Smart really lit up.

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“That play he made was elite,” Smart told ABC’s Molly McGrath after the Clemson game. “I didn’t think he could get there and he found a way to contort his body and go up and get a ball. Unbelievable ball skills. Reminds me of Champ [Bailey] when Champ played. Just a great person.”

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Finebaum did ask Starks about the interception, wondering how he pulled it off. There was some admission in there about the lights at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Starks lost Cade Klubnik’s pass at one point.

Thankfully, at the very last second, Starks got his eyes back on the ball and wound up making an incredible interception.

“It’s weird, that stadium, man — the lights,” Starks said. “If you catch the ball in the wrong light, you’ll lose it. And I kind of lost it for a second. But I saw his speed change. Once I turned my head around, I lost it and then I saw it at the last second. I kind of just jumped — I probably jumped a little too early but I came down with the ball.”

Bailey wound up being a top-10 pick in the 1999 NFL Draft, taken by the Washington Redskins at No. 7 overall. There is a chance Starks winds up being selected in the same area next April at Lambeau Field. He is viewed as a special talent.

Before then, getting through his junior season at Georgia is on Starks’ mind. Saturday will provide a bye week before heading to Tuscaloosa for a massive showdown against Alabama.