Kirby Smart was an All-SEC safety during his playing career at Georgia, and the Bulldogs’ head football coach sees to it that UGA is turning out top players in the secondary each season.

The 2024 campaign appears no different, with All-American safety Malaki Starks leading a talented group intent on replacing three starters who were selected in the top 100 of the NFL Draft.

The DawgNation team completed its season preview with a discussion on which of the defensive backs will be the most important to the team this season.

Mike Griffith

Malaki Starks is an incredible playmaker. Not only does Malaki need to continue to make those sorts plays on the field, but he needs to lead, and coach and teach a lot of the young players.

Jeff Sentell

(Joenel Agüero) has had his season of seasoning in Athens, he’s had Kirby barking in his ear, he’s had Coach Muschamp barking in his ear, he’s now having T-Rob barking in his ear, I think the former 5-star safety …. out of the 2023 Class, I think this is the year he’s going to have Dawg fans barking.

Kaylee Mansell

On the depth chart, he’s listed right behind the starters, I actually think that Ellis Robinson is somebody that we could see starting in later games.

Connor Riley

Daniel Harris might be one of the most athletic specimens on this team full of freaks. He has rare size and speed for someone of his ability, and we saw him get major minutes against Florida State.