Baltimore Ravens’ Malaki Starks Publicly Shares Deep Admiration for All-Pro Teammate, Credits Veteran Star for His Early Success

Baltimore Ravens rookie safety Malaki Starks has not played a regular-season down in the NFL yet, but he’s already making headlines—not just for his on-field potential, but for the respect and admiration he’s shown toward one of the team’s cornerstone defenders. During a recent training camp media session, Starks spoke candidly about the impact veteran All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton has had on him, both as a player and a person.

Starks, the former Georgia Bulldogs standout and Ravens’ first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, didn’t hesitate when asked which teammate has influenced him the most since joining the team.

“Kyle Hamilton, no question,” Starks said with a smile. “He’s everything I hoped he’d be and more. I watched his film all through college and now getting to share a field and meeting room with him—it’s surreal. He’s not just a great player, he’s a great leader.”

That kind of deference and humility is rare for a rookie, especially one with the accolades and expectations Starks brings into his first season. A former five-star recruit who helped lead Georgia’s defense to national prominence, Starks is widely considered one of the most NFL-ready safeties to enter the league in recent years. But according to the 21-year-old, his transition into the Ravens’ complex defensive system has been made significantly easier thanks to Hamilton.

“From day one, he pulled me aside and said, ‘Don’t worry about mistakes—just learn and play fast,’” Starks shared. “That meant a lot. A lot of veterans talk about earning your stripes, but Kyle made sure I felt included. He teaches by example and doesn’t hesitate to help you out.”

Hamilton, entering his third NFL season, has emerged as one of the premier defensive backs in the league. After a standout 2024 campaign where he earned First-Team All-Pro honors, Hamilton became known not just for his versatility—ranging from single-high safety to hybrid linebacker—but for his cerebral approach to the game.

Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr has been thrilled by the budding chemistry between the two safeties.

“It’s rare to have two guys with that kind of range, instincts, and football IQ,” Orr said. “But what’s even more impressive is the way Kyle’s embraced the role of mentor. He sees the future in Malaki and he’s doing everything he can to help him grow. It’s a special dynamic that’s going to pay dividends.”

Starks’ appreciation for Hamilton goes beyond football knowledge. According to the rookie, it’s Hamilton’s attitude off the field that’s left a lasting impression.

“He’s just a good dude,” Starks said. “He’s always checking in, asking how your day’s going, making sure you’re good. Whether it’s locker room stuff, playbook questions, or life advice, he’s someone I know I can go to.”

That brotherhood and culture of accountability are hallmarks of the Ravens franchise. General Manager Eric DeCosta, who made waves when he moved up to draft Starks with the No. 25 overall pick, saw the potential pairing of Hamilton and Starks as a long-term investment in defensive excellence.

“We didn’t just draft Malaki for his athleticism,” DeCosta said. “We saw the way he approached the game—his discipline, his leadership, his composure. Pairing that with Kyle’s presence gives us the most versatile safety duo in the league, in my opinion.”

So far during training camp, the duo has been as advertised. Starks has reportedly impressed with his range, tackling ability, and ability to quickly diagnose plays. On more than one occasion, he’s been seen shadowing Hamilton after drills, asking questions, and going over coverages on the sideline.

Veteran cornerback Marlon Humphrey has taken notice as well.

“You can tell Malaki’s hungry, but he’s humble too,” Humphrey said. “He respects the game. And he respects Kyle. Watching those two work together is crazy. You’re seeing the foundation of something really special.”

The admiration appears mutual. In a post-practice interview, Hamilton praised Starks’ willingness to learn and his already-impressive grasp of the defense.

“He doesn’t act like he knows it all, which is rare for a guy coming out of a program like Georgia,” Hamilton said. “He’s got all the tools to be great. If he keeps this mentality, the league better watch out.”

Off the field, the pair have begun bonding over shared interests, including a love for film study and competition in team video game tournaments. Hamilton joked that Starks “still needs to work on his Madden skills,” but said he’s been impressed by how easily the rookie has integrated with the locker room.

Head coach John Harbaugh, who has always emphasized culture and leadership within his program, sees the bond between Hamilton and Starks as emblematic of what the Ravens are all about.

“It’s not just about talent—it’s about character,” Harbaugh said. “Malaki came in with a mindset to learn, and Kyle immediately took on the responsibility of helping him do that. That’s how you build a championship defense. That’s how you win.”

That championship mindset is front and center for Starks, who already has his sights set on more than just a productive rookie season.

“Winning a Super Bowl in my first year—that’s the dream,” he said. “And with guys like Kyle leading the way, I believe it’s possible. I’m learning from the best.”

Starks also noted that the mentorship he’s receiving now is something he hopes to pass on when he’s a veteran himself.

“Watching how Kyle treats people, how he studies, how he works—I want to be that guy for someone down the line. That’s the legacy I want to build,” he said.

As preseason draws closer, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how the Hamilton-Starks pairing performs in live action. Early indicators suggest the Ravens’ secondary could be the most formidable in the NFL, with Hamilton roaming near the line and Starks serving as a deep-field enforcer.

Former NFL safety and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark weighed in on the potential of the duo during a recent “NFL Live” segment.

“This is scary,” Clark said. “Malaki Starks is already elite in coverage and as a tackler. Pair him with Kyle Hamilton, and you’ve got two chess pieces who can wreck a gameplan. I’d be shocked if the Ravens don’t have a top-three defense this year.”

With expectations climbing and the season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on the horizon, Starks continues to take it all in stride—leaning on the guidance of a teammate he genuinely admires.

“It’s a blessing,” he said. “Every day, I get to work next to someone I looked up to. Now I get to learn from him. That’s what makes football so special.”

As the Ravens prepare for another title run, one thing is clear: the respect, trust, and admiration flowing between Malaki Starks and Kyle Hamilton is no PR stunt. It’s a genuine partnership built on accountability, excellence, and a shared mission to bring another Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore.

And if the early signs are any indication, they just might do it together.