Malaki Starks named 2023 Jim Thorpe Award finalist

UGA football defensive back Malaki Starks has been named a finalist for the 2023 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, the Jim Thorpe Association and Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) have announced.

The Jim Thorpe Award is an annual award presented “to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability, and character.”

Starks is one of three finalists for the annual Jim Thorpe Award, along with Iowa’s Cooper DeJean and Air Force’s Trey Taylor. The winner will be selected and announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec. 7 live on ESPN.

Malaki Starks, who hails from Jefferson, Ga., has started at defensive back in all 12 games this season. He is fourth on the team with 43 total tackles and has also recorded two interceptions.

Top-ranked Georgia is set to face the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2023 SEC Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 2 (Buy Tickets). The contest will kickoff at 4:00pm ET with television coverage via CBS.

2023 UGA Football Schedule

Finalist – Paycom Jim Thorpe Award

Awarded to the best defensive back in college football.#GoDawgs | @StarksMalaki pic.twitter.com/INeECCgWJt

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) November 28, 2023