University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Starks Named Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist
October 29, 2024 | Football
ATHENS, Ga. --- Bulldog junior safety Malaki Starks has been named one of 15 semifinalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation's best defensive back, according to an announcement from the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association Tuesday.
One of four players from the Southeastern Conference selected, Starks, a Jefferson, Ga., native, is now a two-time semifinalist after earning the honor in 2023 as well. This makes three consecutive years that a Georgia player has been a semifinalist after current Las Vegas Raider Christopher Smith was included in 2022.
Starks is the Bulldogs' leading tackler this fall with 39 stops, including three tackles for loss. He has one of the team's four interceptions while having to bounce between his familiar safety spot and the STAR position. Most recently, Starks had seven tackles, including a tackle for loss, as Georgia kept No. 1 Texas to just 2-for-15 on third downs in the win over the Longhorns in Austin.
The No. 2 Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to play Florida (4-3, 2-2) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The matchup will be televised by ABC.
One of four players from the Southeastern Conference selected, Starks, a Jefferson, Ga., native, is now a two-time semifinalist after earning the honor in 2023 as well. This makes three consecutive years that a Georgia player has been a semifinalist after current Las Vegas Raider Christopher Smith was included in 2022.
Starks is the Bulldogs' leading tackler this fall with 39 stops, including three tackles for loss. He has one of the team's four interceptions while having to bounce between his familiar safety spot and the STAR position. Most recently, Starks had seven tackles, including a tackle for loss, as Georgia kept No. 1 Texas to just 2-for-15 on third downs in the win over the Longhorns in Austin.
The No. 2 Bulldogs (6-1, 4-1 SEC) travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to play Florida (4-3, 2-2) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. The matchup will be televised by ABC.
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