Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr has known for weeks that he wanted to coach Malaki Starks.
Now Orr will get the opportunity, after Baltimore made Starks their first-round pick and introduced their newest player during a Friday press conference.
The versatile safety from Georgia impressed the Ravens with his poise and football IQ during his interview at the NFL Combine in February. Then in March, Orr attended Georgia's Pro Day where Starks did things athletically that blew Orr away.
"You see it on film, but then getting really close, you can really see the movement skills and the ball skills," Orr said. "He made a catch where he peddled, got deep, broke on a ball beautifully, made an acrobatic catch. They had some tape and a rope (nearby) and he saved himself – jumped over it all in one motion. Everybody in attendance was just 'Wow.'
"After that workout I honestly personally was saying, 'there's no way he's going to get to 27. All the coaches, GM's and head coaches were raving about him. It was one of the best workouts I've seen."
After the Ravens snagged Starks with the 27th overall pick Thursday night, Orr celebrated in the draft room exchanging hugs and high fives.
Starks is just 21 years old but handled himself like a veteran Friday while fielding questions from the media. People who know Starks often talk about his maturity, a trait that will help his transition from one of the best programs in college football to the NFL.
Starks is familiar with the Ravens' storied history at safety that is headlined by Hall of Famer Ed Reed and continues with Kyle Hamilton. That's part of the reason Starks believes Baltimore will be a great fit for him.
"When I chose to go to University of Georgia as a freshman, the history that ran in the defensive room and the history that I want to be a part of is very similar to what they've built here," Starks said. "I'm ready to get here and be a Raven."
Starks was deployed all over the secondary at Georgia as a deep safety, a slot defender, and in nickel and dime packages. Baltimore plans to take advantage of that versatility, and Orr and Head Coach John Harbaugh are already thinking of schemes that can utilize Starks' skillset.
"I ran into coach this morning. We were in the weight room," Orr said. "The advantage that we feel like we have here in Baltimore is being positionless, and that's all over the field, but especially with our secondary. He helps create an advantage for us and a disadvantage to the [opposing] offense, because he can line up all over the field."
Starks isn't taking his journey to the NFL for granted. His family faced financial hardships while he was growing up in Jefferson, Ga., and hard work is a mechanism he used to overcome hard times. Starks is bringing that same determination to Baltimore.
"I was homeless twice, and there was a period of time where I didn't really see my parents because they were working day shifts, night shifts, whatever the case may be, but I've never seen them not work for anything," Starks said. "I saw it, and it turned me into who I am today.
"When things don't go my way, when I don't know what to do, I put my head down and work. It's always been what I do. It's part of who I am, it's how I go about my business. Keeping your faith up front, staying true to yourself. I've seen that from my parents, and I've seen it from my sister, as well. So, all the people who set a great example for me to follow, I've just got to follow in their footsteps."
Starks loves to win and sees the Ravens as a place where success can continue. He won a national championship at Georgia in 2022, and after waiting until the 27th pick to be called, Starks isn't worried about the teams that passed on him. Instead, he wants to help make it difficult to pass against the Ravens.
"I'm in a perfect spot," Starks said. "I'm right where I need to be. I'm ready to get to work."
