As the highly anticipated matchup between Alabama and Georgia approaches, the intensity surrounding the game continues to build. Both teams are loaded with talent, but Georgia is eager for revenge, while Alabama looks to shake off its rare underdog label. Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan has his hands full preparing for Georgia’s elite defense, particularly the Bulldogs’ remarkable secondary.
When asked about Georgia’s standout safeties—specifically Malaki Starks—Sheridan didn’t hold back in his admiration for the Bulldogs’ superstar and the depth of talent surrounding him.
“What really stands out about [Malaki Starks] is his versatility,” Sheridan said. “He can play near the line of scrimmage, he can drop into deep coverage, and he can match up man-to-man. He’s an exceptional player with experience in their system, and Georgia can use him in different spots and personnel groupings, and he excels in all of them.”
Starks has been a crucial part of Georgia’s defense since his true freshman season, leading the team in defensive snaps and immediately making an impact as one of the nation’s top safeties. Coming into the 2023 season, Starks had already defended nearly 20 passes in his career, though his man-to-man coverage was an area for growth. However, this year, Starks has polished his game, excelling in every role a safety could play.
One of the defining moments of his season was his interception against Clemson in Week 1, where he flawlessly read a vertical route, stayed inside the receiver, and made an acrobatic leap for the pick—a textbook play that highlighted his exceptional ball skills and instincts.
MALAKI STARKS pic.twitter.com/4yLDSscDbe
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) August 31, 2024
Sheridan couldn’t help but circle back to Starks while discussing Georgia’s secondary as a whole. “When you’re planning your game, you always look for ways to put your players in the best position to succeed, and that’s even more challenging when you’re up against a player like Starks,” he said. “He’s a versatile player with great production, capable of playing multiple techniques in different spots. He’s a great player.”
While Malaki Starks is the obvious standout in Georgia’s secondary, the Bulldogs have another emerging star in five-star freshman KJ Bolden. Bolden has been a revelation this season, showing even greater versatility than Starks in terms of how Georgia deploys him pre-snap. Whether inside the box, deep downfield as a free safety, or in the slot, Bolden’s adaptability has been crucial to Georgia’s success. His ability to close on short passes and make impactful tackles in the run game has been evident from his very first play as a Bulldog.
KJ Bolden ‘s first tackle as a Bulldog pic.twitter.com/s1LmLDgvtu
— 704 Dawg (@FSFRecruits) August 31, 2024
In Week 1 against Clemson, Bolden was initially assigned to a deeper role but quickly recognized a short outlet pass, sprinted downhill, and made a diving stop that prevented a crucial third-down conversion. His quick instincts and physicality have added another dimension to Georgia’s defense.
When you combine Starks’ elite ball skills and versatility with Bolden’s instincts and hard-hitting style, Georgia’s safety duo is one of the most formidable in college football. It’s no surprise that Sheridan couldn’t stop talking about the challenge posed by the Bulldogs’ secondary.
As Alabama prepares for Saturday’s showdown, Starks and Bolden may very well be the key to Georgia’s ability to contain the Tide’s wide receivers. If the tandem performs as expected, they could be the deciding factor in what promises to be a fierce SEC battle.
