The colossal matchup between Alabama and Georgia is approaching. Both teams are stacked to the brim with talent yet again. Georgia is looking for revenge. Alabama is looking to overcome their rare "underdog" role . But for Alabama's offensive coordinator, Nick Sheridan? It seems he's still trying to figure out how to beat Georgia's unbelievably talented secondary.
When asked about Georgia's elite safeties--especially Malaki Marks--coach Sheridan couldn't help but rave about the Bulldogs' superstar and the young studs around him.
“I think what stands out is [Malaki Starks]' versatility as a player. He can play close to the line of scrimmage, and he can play in the deep middle part of the field. He can cover man to man. I think he’s an excellent football player but obviously has experience in their system. [Georgia] can put him in different spots and different personnel groupings, and he’s excellent in all areas."
Malaki Starks has led all Georgia defenders in snaps dating back to his true freshman season when he burst onto the national stage as one of the best safeties in the nation from day one. Coming into this season Starks had already logged nearly 20 career passes defended, but had been imperfect in man-to-man situations at times. That hasn't been the case this season as Starks now succeeds in quite literally every role you could ask a safety to play.
His interception against Clemson in Week 1 is a great example of this. He read the vertical slot fade route perfectly, stayed just inside the wide receiver's left shoulder, looked for the ball, and leaped for the acrobatic interception. Teach tape from Starks.
Alabama's offensive coordinator continued talking about a few other safeties, but still couldn't help bringing it back to Starks again as he wrapped up his thoughts on Georgia's secondary:
As far as accounting for those players (the safeties), I think that’s always your challenge each and every week as you game plan is how to put your players in the best position and create the best advantage you possibly can based on who you’re going against. And certainly [Starks is] an excellent player that has had great production, you know, very versatile. Can play lots of different spots, lots of different techniques. He’s a great player.”
Obviously the first name that comes to mind with Georgia safeties is Malaki Starks, but five star true freshman KJ Bolden is the player who has completed what looks to be the best back end to any defense in the sport.
Bolden has been showing greater versatility than even Starks has this season in terms of how Georgia utilizes him pre-snap. He's played a ton inside the box, at free safety downfield, and in the slot all year long. Bolden's physicality to close in on short passes and the run game have been a sight to behold since his first tackle as a Bulldog.
Bolden 's pre-snap assignment was clearly more of a deep role on his first tackle against Clemson, but he quickly diagnosed the short outlet pass, sprinted downhill, and stopped what would have been a big third down conversion with a diving tackle.
When Georgia mixes Starks' unreal ball skills and versatility with Bolden's quick instincts and physicality that combines for quite the deadly duo at safety. It's no wonder Sheridan couldn't stop talking about Georgia safeties this week. Starks and Bolden could very well be the perfect tandem that contains the Alabama wide receivers, winning Georgia the day this Saturday.
Related: Kirby Smart praises young Alabama star WR Ryan Williams ahead of Georgia's Week 5 showdown
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