A Painful departure: Bulldogs star player Malaki Starks announce his departure due to…

Mercedes-Benz Stadium has become something of a second home for the Bulldogs, with the team playing six games there since the 2020 season. Starks played his first collegiate game there in 2022 against Oregon, where he recorded his first career interception in Georgia’s emphatic 49-3 win.

“I talked to my mom that morning and she told me ‘You know, you only get one chance to be a freshman so, enjoy it while you got it,” Starks said. “I remember waking up that morning and sitting at the table with [fellow safeties] Chris [Smith II] and Dan [Jackson] and everybody eating. Just kind of really just being in the moment, being where my feet are, not getting too far ahead of myself. It’s kind of the same message I’ve been relaying to [the younger players now

The Bulldogs rode the momentum from that Oregon victory in 2022 all the way to an undefeated 15-0 national championship season. Testing the team early in the year has always been important under Smart.

“You get to play a quality opponent right off the get-go,” Smart said. “And when you get into conference play, you’re battle-tested. Probably better than a team that maybe doesn’t play that kind of matchup. You find out more about your team. It’s great for the fans. That’s the advantage. Great for recruiting. Exposure.”

Back in April, the NCAA approved the use of helmet communication in FBS games for the 2024 season. The rule gives coaches the option to use coach-to-player communication via radio in one player’s helmet before the snap. Similar to the NFL and some levels of high school football, the communication system will shut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or when the ball is snapped– whichever comes first. The quarterback will obviously be the one wearing the “green dot” helmet on offense, but the defense’s outlook appears to be wide open.