Malaki Starks had a memorable night during the draft. While many hope to go early, sometimes that leads to joining a less-than-ideal team. Starks, however, wasn’t in the top 20 picks, yet he still made it into the first round and is now part of a Super Bowl contender.
Selected 27th overall by the Baltimore Ravens, Starks joins a team that recently came close to the championship. With Lamar Jackson as a candidate for MVP, the Ravens are expected to perform well this season.
Despite the obvious differences between college and professional football, Starks admits he has additional worries about transitioning. “There are many rules that differ from college,” he shared. “I’m used to certain distances and plays, so I’ve been practicing my movements to adjust.”
Starks, who enjoyed a successful college career at Georgia, emphasized that preparation goes beyond what happens on the field. Just before the draft, he participated in some playful activities that highlighted teamwork. “We did this funny exercise with laundry on our heads. It’s interesting how preparation starts even in the laundry room—when players look good, they feel good,” he noted.
Now with the Ravens, Starks feels a mix of excitement and pressure. He knows the expectations but has confidence in himself and his team dynamics. “I’ve been taught to aim high since my days at Georgia, filling the shoes of greatness is part of it,” he remarked, looking forward to learning from veteran teammates. “I can’t wait to embody the spirit of a Raven.”
