Could Bucs Reunite Former Georgia Teammates?

We’ve come to learn in recent NFL seasons that quite possibly the best way to build a successful roster is by simply just drafting Georgia Bulldog players. It worked for the Philadelphia Eagles to help them win the Super Bowl this year as they have players such as Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nolan Smith, Nakobee Dean and Kelee Ringo that all played for Georgia.

The Bucs dipped into that pool last season by drafting former Bulldogs defensive back Tykee Smith, who wound up being tied for the lead in Tampa Bay in forced fumbles (three) and interceptions (two) despite missing four games due to injuries.

Smith is already viewed as one of the smartest players on the defense and Todd Bowles has been quoted many times saying that you almost forget that he was a rookie with how well he understands everything and how good he was as a player. The Bucs also trust him enough to potentially move to another position even just after one season.

Bucs Safety Tykee Smith Gets Compliment From Former Teammate

So if the Bucs found success with one Georgia Bulldog, why not go back to the well with another? It appears that Tampa Bay might be doing so again with a player that was teammates with Tykee Smith at Georgia and even played together with him in the secondary.

Defensive back Malakai Starks met formally with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine and is a potential first-round pick. Tampa Bay certainly has him on the mind and likely with the idea of putting him in the secondary again with Smith. Starks revealed what stands out to him about Smith and what it would be like to play with him again.

“His mind,” Starks said.  “Tykee is one of the smartest people I’ve ever played with. Just kind of learning under him and the things that he taught me and just the way he went about his business. He’s really a pro. Tykee being one of my good friends, it’d great to team up with him. I’ll be blessed to play anywhere.”

Smith was one of three Georgia defensive backs to get drafted last season along with Javon Bullard and Kamari Lassiter. With Starks trying to become the next Bulldog to get drafted from the secondary, he leaned on all three for advice.

“I was on the phone with Javon Bullard, Tykee Smith and Kamari Lassiter and they were just saying just go be you,” he said. “The rest will take care of itself.”

The Bucs have needs all over the defense including the secondary. They definitely need to build out depth at corner behind Zyon McCollum and might also need a starting corner if they decide to let go of Jamel Dean. Tampa Bay has already made the decision to cut Jordan Whitehead, opening the door for Smith to play at safety next to Antoine Winfield Jr.

What Malaki Starks Could Bring To The Bucs

Georgia S Malaki Starks – Photo by: USA Today

Malaki Starks would fit in because he could play safety and keep Smith at the slot, but given has a season of NFL experience under his belt, there’s more of a probability that it would be Starks that plays in the nickel. In 847 defensive snaps last season, Starks played 216 of them in slot, 176 in the box, and 426 in free safety. He can pretty much play anywhere.

At Georgia, Starks also built up a reputation as one of the few people that could actually slow down Brock Bowers in coverage when they were teammates going up against each other in practice. Starks had six interceptions and 17 pass breakups in three seasons, showing his versatility and football IQ to be put in any role on a defense.

Maybe the Bucs and Todd Bowles will be the ones drafting Starks.

“It’s my athletic ability but also just my knowledge,” Starks said. “Just really falling in love with the process of learning how to cover, learning how to be a safety, be a slot, be a corner, be a money linebacker. Just learning my assignment and the best way to do it. I watch a lot of tape, being able to see guys how they move, what’s their tendencies, it’s things like that you pick up on especially with the knowledge that you get specifically at the University of Georgia.”