#5 Malaki Starks (S, Georgia)
Starks has been showing out since he stepped foot on campus in Athens as a true freshman. Last year with having to replace a lot in the secondary, Starks emerged as the leader on the defense for the Bulldogs.
Starks has totaled 120 tackles and five interceptions in his first two seasons for the Bulldogs. After the 2024 season, he will have been coached by one of the greatest defensive coaches ever in Kirby Smart. You would be hard pressed to find many better prospects in the secondary than this one.
Starks is projected by Brugler to go 12th overall, but due to his reliability I have him as the fifth best prospect out of the SEC and he could go much higher.
#6 Mykell Williams (DL, Georgia)
Williams was plagued by injuries for much of 2023, but in his true freshman season in 2022, Williams took the SEC by storm compiling 28 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Despite playing through injuries in 2023, Williams still managed 4.5 sacks for the Kirby Smart-led Bulldogs in 2023.
I do think Williams’ stock has slid some to this point and is being drafted off of potential and the flashes he showed so far in what fans hope could turn into double the production, but he does still show great promise. And therefore sits at number six on my list.
Brugler has Williams projected to go first overall.