Ravens’ Malaki Starks Tackles NFL Rulebook in Leap from Georgia to Pros

Baltimore Ravens' first-round pick Malaki Starks is stepping into the NFL with a mix of excitement and adaptation challenges. Drafted 27th overall, the former Georgia Bulldog joins a Super Bowl contender led by MVP candidate Lamar Jackson. While the leap from college to pro football is daunting, Starks isn’t sweating the skill gap as much as the rulebook.

"The NFL’s rules and field dimensions are a whole new game," Starks shared. "I’m still adjusting to the hash marks and relearning my steps after practice. It’s like my feet have to unlearn college muscle memory."

Fortunately, Starks has a stellar crew of veteran teammates to guide him. Coming from Georgia’s championship pedigree, he’s no stranger to high expectations. "At Georgia, we were chasing national titles. Here, it’s about living up to the Ravens’ standard," he said.

Off the field, Starks showed his competitive edge in a pre-draft Tide Laundry Games event, outbalancing fellow draftee Matthew Golden. "I got to rub it in his face," he laughed. "Feeling good starts in the laundry room, and that carries to the field."

As Starks settles into Baltimore, he’s ready to soak up wisdom from the pros and carve his path as a Raven.