Georgia safety Malaki Starks has been named one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back.
Starks, a native of Jefferson, Georgia, joins Texas’ Jahdae Barron and Ohio State’s Caleb Downs as finalists for the prestigious honor. Former Georgia All-American Deandre Baker claimed the Thorpe Award in 2018, Starks has now earned his place as a finalist in two consecutive seasons.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders did not approve of the three finalists for the Thorpe Award.
“How is Travis Hunter snubbed by the Thorpe Award? You can have my award. You can have it back. Matter of fact, I’m going to give him mine. I ain’t using it. It’s just sitting up there collecting dust,” Sanders said.
“So Travis can have my Thorpe Award, because if this ain’t the most idiotic thing in college football, that he’s not a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award and he is, I would say arguably, but I don’t think it’s really an argument about this young man being the best defensive back in college football,” Sanders said.
Sanders has no qualms with Malaki Starks, but he disagrees with the selection of the three Thorpe finalists.
Starks has been a three year starter for defense at safety and arguably is one of the best to put on a Bulldog uniform. Starks has been a part of an All-American team since his freshman year, earning Freshman All-American honors and becoming a consensus First-Team All-American last season.
This year, Starks is tied for the team lead with 55 tackles, including four for loss, and has recorded an interception. Playing at the Star position, he has started 39 consecutive games and has been instrumental in helping Georgia’s defense hold four opponents scoreless in the fourth quarter in 2024, including top-ranked Texas on the road in Austin.
No. 10 Georgia (9-2, 6-2 SEC) will host Georgia Tech (7-4, 5-3 ACC) in the Bulldogs’ regular season finale on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC.
