Malaki Starks Joins The Lounge | Baltimore Ravens

Malaki Starks Joins The Lounge | Baltimore Ravens

[Music] Welcome into the lounge presented by DraftKings. I’m Ryan Mink here with Garrett Downing and we are thrilled to sit down with first round pick Malachi Starks. Thanks for joining us, Malachi. Thank you. And uh so I noticed this on, you know, as the rookies reported yesterday, you you came back for training camp and I noticed that when you were walking in, this is a keen eye of mine, right? I noticed that you welcomed us to train camp. Like that’s how nice a guy you are, right? And it’s like we’re welcoming you back to training camp. You’re like, “Hey, welcome everybody. Welcome. Welcome.” Like just a nice guy. So, well, I I figured that like a lot of people spend time and like welcome us back and nobody does it for everybody else that’s been here. So, it’s nice to You want to reciprocate? Yeah, it’s nice to hear every once in a while. What a dude. What a dude. What’s What’s going through your mind as you return for training camp for your first one? Um I’m excited. I think uh the break uh was very necessary. Um, I think a lot of guys came back in a very good spirit and uh, right of mind. I think today was a really good day. Um, and I think a lot of guys are just excited. You know, it’s our first time. We don’t really know what to expect. Uh, so just really trying to lean on the older guys uh, with their knowledge and, you know, the the process that they’ve been through already. Uh, and try to go through that with them and, you know, have my own process as well. So, as you look ahead to this rookie season, your first training camp, what has you most excited? Um really just to to be a new uniform. Uh I think I uh I’ve been in Georgia for so long. Um I grew up 30 minutes from the University of Georgia. Uh and then it felt like I was wearing red and black for like forever. Uh so uh just to be in, you know, purple and black and, you know, like really indulge in, you know, what that means, uh with the culture and the city and, you know, the the building around here. Um, and everybody I think I’m excited just to to dive into a new process of my life. So, there’s no doubt that there’s a lot on your plate. You get drafted in the first round. There’s obviously a lot that comes with that. And then soon after that, unfortunately, our Darius Washington gets hurt and he goes down. And so, you’ve been taking pretty much every first team rep since the day that you stepped on campus here. How do you handle the responsibility that comes with all that? Yeah, I think uh just looking as it, you know, as a privilege. I think um it’s what I asked for, you know, uh when I signed up, I knew what I was signing up for and really just taking that on with the right head and just staying grounded in my faith, but also uh you know, like I said earlier, like leaning on the older guys, like they’ve been here for a while. They know they’ve been through what I’m about to go through. They know how it is. Uh and also like the other rookies, like this is all of our all of our first time. So, uh just trying to figure it out together. Um, and also just, you know, like I’m a rookie, you know, I’m a it’s okay to be a rookie and I I understand that and I I think I I want to give myself that grace, but also I still have high standards for myself. Um, cuz I know the expectations that are have been set. Uh, so just really trying to find a good balance within that within that process. Does it help that you were an instant starter at Georgia? You know, like you’re used to this kind of quick turnaround. Yeah, I think um and it’s funny because like it’s it’s actually very similar uh to when I to when I got to University of Georgia. Uh just like the depth that was in the room and you know the the season that they’re coming off of just like the the expectations, you know. Um and I think um my freshman year at Georgia and then how I took it from my freshman year, sophomore year, junior year. I think um it really allowed me to have a um outlook on different things uh so to speak uh coming into a different place and just being adaptable and I think um it’s been a huge help and I think it’s been a huge help here so far and I think I just want to keep learning on that experience. So you had an interception your first college game as an immediate star. So can you guarantee us an interception in Buffalo is the question. Um I said it you know I said it a few weeks ago. Somebody somebody uh asked me uh who I wanted to pick off. I said Jos Allen first game. So, um it’s it’s it’s coming. I’m I’m working on it. What what when you look ahead and you think about like that first game and suiting up uh for an NFL game for the first time, like what are the thoughts that come to mind for you knowing that you’re going to be taking the field for an NFL game, the first time in Buffalo, a lot that comes with that? Yeah, I think um I think just going back and looking at the history, I think I spent a lot of time like looking last year uh all tape obviously, but just you know Buffalo being being the game last year. I think I spent a lot of time on that and also just speaking to the guys and like what that game what it means for the guys around the building. Um I wasn’t there but I can feel it when they speak like when when coach or talks like I can I can feel it. Uh, so just really I I’m excited. Um, cuz I know like what it means to a lot of other guys here. Um, but it’s also my first game as well. Um, and you know, I I want to, you know, showcase my talents, but also, you know, just being in the best position to help the team win. So, you went back and you watched the Ravens Buffalo game from the playoffs last year. Obviously, you weren’t even on the team, but you’ve spent time watching that since you’ve been on the Ravens. Yeah, cuz I I mean, like I watched it on TV, but it’s different watching it like through tape. Uh, so just and a lot of it came through just like trying to learn like the plays that they’re putting in, but then like as I was doing it, I was like, “Okay, let me go study a little bit like a little bit here, a little bit there.” Um, so I went back and I watched it, watched the actual tape, but also watched the the game as well. I’m I’m curious what the vibe is like in that room. You talk about talking to some of the veterans and hearing from coach or about what it was like. I mean, in in the secondary in particular, there’s five first round picks in that room. What is that vibe like? Um, it’s it’s very low-key. Like, um, like all of the guys are like awesome, you know? Like I I seriously don’t think there’s a better place for anybody to be than here. Uh, and the vets in a room, I mean, they they’re what you would want a vet to be. Uh, and I think a lot of guys, I had it when I came into University of Georgia, too. like you come in to like uh a place like Baltimore or a place like Georgia or whatever with like guys who are like at a very high level, you’re thinking, “Oh man, like I’m a meet a guy with a big ego or whatever, you know?” And I walk in and like everybody’s cool, like everybody’s very chill. Um and I think it makes it easier for like the younger guys to like really lean in and learn and um when you have guys in the room that are like just vets, you know, and like what you think a vet should be. I think uh it makes it makes our life a little easier, but then it also helps them as well. It seems like the bar has been set like really high within the your defensive meeting rooms, especially with all the talent that you have in that secondary. Like when you look around and see so many other talented players, like what is that kind of how you’re framing this season? Yeah, I think um I think at the end of the day, you know, whether in football or in life, you compete, you know, and when you’re around a bunch of elite guys, it just raises that competitiveness. And I think when you look in our room, like you just see it like everybody’s elite at what they do and um can be elite at things that they want to do. And I think it just raises your level of wanting to be competitive and wanting to be elite as well. Malai, I remember at the combine talking with you during your press conference and obviously there’s a big crowd around you and there was there was speculation that you could end up here in Baltimore and I actually remember asking you about players that you look at in the NFL and you talked about Kyle Hamilton, the versatility and and all that he does uh to affect the game. Now that you’re playing alongside him, what what are your thoughts about that and and is it kind of as advertised? Is it what you expected it to be like? Yeah, I mean it’s um there’s like there’s levels to this thing, you know? Um and he’s he’s at the top of the top. Um and I think it’s crazy cuz like I I literally watched all of his tape. Like I I trained in Tampa with John Gruden. Um and we spent a lot of time watching his tape. Uh and he actually John he told me that Baltimore was gonna get me. He’s like they’re gonna come get you. Um, and he we spent a lot of time watching his tape and uh just to the see the way that he like moves on tape, but then like to just learn from him in person and just kind of see it, it’s like it’s crazy. Uh cuz like he like I said, he’s at the top. Um, and I think just his knowledge and the way that he goes about the game, uh, I mean, it’s it’s different than most guys, you know, and I’m I’m very blessed that I just be able to get to to learn from that. Um, and you know, the other guys in the room as well. I think our room is very deep um from from him to everybody and I think just being able to come into a room like that and learn uh really just soak up all the knowledge I can from everybody has been awesome. You’re both kind of uh Swiss Army knives. You know, you can play anywhere. How do you see you two kind of complimenting each other and playing off of each other? Yeah, I think um I think you know whatever he wants to do, I’ll do the opposite, you know, like uh I’ll just wherever wherever I need to be. I think that’s what it is, you know, like he he um he’s been in the system for a while. Like he he really knows the defense. He’s very smart. Um and you know, he can do he can literally do whatever. Like you watch him on tape and he’s everywhere. Um, and I think, uh, I have that ability and me being able to learn as much as I can will help me get to that point. Uh, so really just, you know, I think, uh, you know, if he wants to be in the box, having me deep in the field will allow him to be be that more. If it wants to be vice versa, he wants to be in the middle, I can go down and rotate. So like it free both of us up as well. Um, so really, you know, whatever whatever he says he wants to do, I’ll do the opposite. Whatever they tell me to do, you know, I’ll do it. So, is there is there like kind of a a communication and a feel aspect that has to come along with that? Like you have to get a sense for what he’s going to do. Of course, you’re going to like you’re going to play the defense, you’re going to play the plays, but even within that, there’s decision-m that has to be made. Like, how talk to me about that, just getting a feel for what he’s going to do and how you guys play off of each other. Yeah, I think um you know, it’s different, you know, like you spend spend three years playing with somebody else. It’s like you you really get to pick up on like you know what they do and how they move and then like you move and you’re playing with somebody else knew right off the bat and it’s a little different. Uh but I think you know being here and me being able to get those reps with him really allowed me to like really understand like how he moves and like just me being able to ask some questions like hey like before they do this like what are you thinking like what are you what do you want to show here? What are you thinking? And then like after okay like what are you looking at like like tell me what your thought process is so like I know but I was like so I can learn from you but also I know like what you’re thinking as well. And I think like he does a really good job of like hey like uh like the last day like he uh he came up to me with the iPad during practice and he was like hey like when they get in this formation I’m showing this so like we can we can rotate off each other and then like when this happens like you don’t have to be so deep because you have your corner and your linebacker like things that I like I knew but like with the defense I’m still learning so I wasn’t aware and he came to me he was like hey like this is this is this can help you. Um, and I think, um, us being able to just to have that communication, um, me being able just to watch, I think me still watching his tape, like just seeing how he moves and just talking to him and really just building that relationship, I think it’s going to be it’s going to be huge. You you talked about watching a lot of film already. I would imagine that probably even during training camp, it’s going to hit another another level. Honestly, like take me through, you know, you’re done practice, you’re done for the day, you have dinner, you you go back. like is it jump into the iPad till 1:00 for you? Yeah, I think um I think there has to be like a really good balance, you know, and I think it’s I think it’s different for everybody, but it’s also different for different scenarios. Like if we go through an install and I really don’t under understand the install, like I may spend like an hour to three and a half to four hours looking over the install. Um but if I really understand it, I might spend an hour to hour and a half or whatever the case may be. But um I think there has to be a good balance for everybody. So like when I get home um minimum I’m doing an hour. Uh like I’m take my notes for a day, I rewrite my notes and then I look over the install again and I watch the videos. Um and then I like walk it out myself in the room. Like I’ll get water bottles or whatever and I’ll move them around or I like I’ll speak it out in my room by myself um to really just kind of go through it again. Uh, and I think, you know, once I understand it, I stop. So, like, however long that really takes, I mean, it takes, but most of the time it’s, you know, it’s in that hour to two and a half to three window. We uh we heard the report that that you were conducting walkthroughs with your rookie teammates during rookie mini camp at the team hotel, which I I’d honestly never heard that happening before. Can you take us behind the scenes on that, how that started? So like, so like I knew some of the guys. I think it was like the the second day maybe. Um I was downstairs and I just brought my iPad cuz I didn’t want to be in my room. I was tired and stuff. I in my room. I knew I was going to lay down. So like I went to the lobby and I sat down and then one of the other guys came down. So I texted another guy. I was like, “Hey, we’re down here. You want to come down here?” End up being like five of us um that day. And then uh I was like, “There’s a ballroom back there.” And I was like, “I wonder if they’re using it.” So, like one of the guys, he goes up, he’s like, “Hey, are y’all using the ballroom?” They’re like, “No, what do you need the ballroom for?” Uh, and he was like, “Oh, we were just asking. We’re just asking.” So, like the next day we come back. Um, and there’s there’s more of us. There’s like seven or whatever. So, um, we walk up, we like, “Hey, do you mind if we use the ballroom? Like, we’ll put the chairs back wherever they were at tables. Like, we’ll we’ll set it all back to where it was, but can we just use it for like 30 minutes?” Uh, so we all go in there and we’re just like we’re helping each other, you know? Like, we’re learning together. Like, we’re moving. We’re moving chairs around the tables and making calls and stuff and I think it was a collective effort and I think um it just speaks to a lot of guys like their mentality to just you know coming in this year and you know where we want to be at. It’s cool. Did it just see like leadership is something that is part of what this is kind of what we’re talking about here like leadership is part of what we all heard before you got here that that was part of who you are and how you approach the game and then you’re here at rookie mini camp and you’re running walkthroughs in the ballroom like that just there’s not many guys that do that. Is that responsibility of leadership something that really matters to you? Um, I think it’s something that I’ve just always seen. Like I think, you know, my dad’s the best leader I’ve ever seen in my life. Um, and I think, you know, that’s that’s very biased, but like, um, just the things that we’ve been through, um, and just the way that I seen him move, uh, you know, he’s not perfect, but I think he he’s the perfect dad to me. And I think, uh, just the way to watch him move and the way that he was a leader. And I think um I think I wanted to be that in my own way. And I think I really figured that out uh in high school, but when I got to college, I think you really you really had to figure out how to follow the right people before you could lead. And I think I followed the right people to allow me to take pieces of what they do and put it in my own bucket. Uh so I’m I’m able to pull things but still be myself. Mhm. And I think um you know I think I just I want to do that here too. You know like we have a a great group of guys as I was talking about earlier and you know like I understand like what it means to come into a place that already has guys established and kind of maneuver around that. Um and I’m not worried about being the the the best leader um because we have a bunch of leaders. I’m worried about being the best version of myself and leading the guys that I can. Um and eventually I’ll grow in that role. But it’s not something I’m like, oh, like if I don’t jump into it now, I never get to it. You know, I understand that it takes time. And um I’m also I still got to learn like this is a new place. This is a new system, new culture. Like things are different here than other places. So I’m still learning as well. So like I can’t can’t come out here and, you know, yell at people, whatever. And I’m still learning myself. And I think that’s something you also have to take in account like you can’t ever ask somebody to do something you wouldn’t do yourself, right? I mean, I think, you know, just coming here and learning, I think is very natural and I think it’s going to take time. What What was it about your dad as as a leader that really inspired you? Yeah. I think um he uh I just I just never saw him stop working. Um like even when we didn’t have anything, like he he literally was always working. I think there was a period of time where like I saw my dad for like maybe like an hour a day maybe. Um and then he’d go back to work uh day shifts and night shifts. just like just the way he like he handled his business around people and the way he worked and like it’s weird like he was always comp competing like with life. Um, and I think that’s like where my competitive spirit comes from. But also just like the people that he was able to like bring along with him, uh, even when we didn’t have anything, like he was bringing people along with him and, you know, whatever. And I think that really I saw that and like I just wanted to grab a hold to it. Um, and just kind of have something like of that of my own. What in your mind makes a good leader? I think um, I think somebody that’s true to their self. um that doesn’t compromise their self for anything or anyone. And I think um somebody who uh you know stays grounded, but also like can can point stuff out but can take it as well. Uh I think I think if you’re a hypocrite, a hypocrite, you can’t be a leader. Um I I I think those two don’t mess together. Um, and I think guys who can um really really be in both buckets, who can call stuff out, see something, say something, say something, see something, and then also when that gets done to you, you can take it and flip it and work on it. Like there’s no like bickering or whatever. Being coachable. Um, I think that’s that’s huge. And um, God’s worth respect, you know, like you got to earn that role. You got to do things the right way. you got to not just be a great football player, you got to be a great person. Like, you got to live right on and off the field for guys to really respect you. Um, and I think when you look at that, we got a bunch of guys in this building who who have that. And I’m just super excited to learn from those guys. I I think it’s crazy that you’re like half my age. It’s just like, you know, just you’re being around you. He’s already more mature than you. Oh, 100%. He’s more mature than me. 100%. Tell what’s something that remind that will remind me and our listeners that you’re like half my age. All right. Like tell me something. Well, what year were you born? 2003. Oh, I know that. But that’s just when you hear it out loud. It’s like you What year did you graduate high school? What? 2002. So old. I can barely remember. Oh golly. Like All right. What’s like like something that a hobby of yours that’ll be like, “All right, this guy’s 21 years old.” You know what I Um, I like to FaceTime my dog. Like, all right. Cuz like he still he he lives at home. So, like um I’ll call my fiance’s dad and like my dog like he understands FaceTime. So, like when it rings Yeah. he’ll like run to the phone and like when I answer like he’ll turn his head. Yeah. And like I’ll talk to him and he’ll like just kind of whatever. Um but really like I don’t I still watch Disney Channel. All right, that qualifies. That’ll work. I was about to say if that helps, I’ll still work. So, it’s just so crazy. Like, have you always felt like that you were older and more mature than the other kids around you? I think it played a role like me having to grow up pretty fast. Yeah. Um, I think it changed the way that I saw things like in life and about also like not always having a lot made me like really appreciate and understand like the the little things in life. Um, but I think, yeah, I’ve always kind of felt like I was a little bit more mature, um, than like my age group, I’d say. Uh, but I think I think it’s a good thing. Um, I think, uh, you know, like people say like I miss out on a lot of stuff, but I don’t feel like I’m missing out. Like, seem like you’re doing all right. I love my life, you know. Um, so I’m I’m very happy about, you know, the way I handle my business. Yeah. You you mentioned a couple times you feel like you had to grow up fast. Why do you feel that way? Yeah, I think um at an early age I lost uh my cousin. Um he died of a homicidal suicide. Um and then also just uh we were homeless twice growing up, you know. So I didn’t really have didn’t really have a lot. I had I had enough, you know. Um but it’s not like I could go in the store and want something and leave with it, you know. Uh but also um I had a really great group of like friends around me, but everybody life was like different, you know? So, like I’d see things and like I’d understand like, okay, like we’re not there yet. Um, and I I get it, you know. And I think also just like my faith has been like really huge. I think at my early age when I lost my cousin, like I struggled uh with my faith. Uh like my my dad is was my dad’s the deacon at the church. My mom’s in the choir. Me and my sister were in church every Sunday. Um, and then at an early age, like when that happened, I like had a lot of anger and had a uh a lot of confusion. Um, and I was lost uh in my faith. Um, and I think as I got older, I think maybe like maybe took like two years. So, I was like nine or 10 maybe around that time. I think uh we were in church and it just hit me, you know. Um, and then like I really just, you know, I really just sat there and had my time with God and talked and then like talked with my parents and I think like me growing in my faith also like kind of helped me mature as a person uh very early and I think you know it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re really an open book like this conversation. And I commend you for just being, you know, as open and talking about kind of hard things and challenging things that you’ve experienced in your life, which is, I think, speaks to that maturity that we’re talking about. What What allows you to be kind of an open book in that sense? I think um I think I’ve spent so much time like holding it in, you know, like I think like um it’s like some of my best friends like to this day who are going to be at my wedding, like they didn’t even know any of this stuff about me. in high school. Um, and then like it hit me. I was like, “Nobody really knows anything about me.” Like people know I’m good at sports. People know like I’m a cool, chill guy, but like nobody really knows anything about me. Um, and then um, as I got to college, I like I kept growing more in my faith. And then like I got to a point where like it was okay for like I feel like it was okay for me to let myself express, you know, like my life and who I am and what’s been happening or whatever the case may be. Um I I thought that like I was very comfortable with myself. Um I didn’t really care about others opinions and you know what it might be. And I think once I got to that point I was I was ready to go. You were seven years old when you you lost your cousin. It wasn’t. Yes. and and you mentioned that you were homeless during it was around that time from what I understand, right? Can you just take us back to that time and what was happening then? Like what what does that life look like for you? You know, is just finding temporary housing or whatnot? Yeah, I think um it was crazy like the the day before my cousin passed away, he was at my house, we’re outside um playing football, whatever, running around, playing freeze tag, whatever. And uh we were actually supposed to go to Phopoulos the next day. And then I kept asking my dad like, “Hey, can I can I go spend a night? Can I go spend a night at his house or whatever.” My dad kept saying no. Um and I I was so mad. So mad. And then um we woke up. Um parents went to work, dropped me off at my grandma’s, went to work, grandma got a call, everything had happened. Um and then like I spent so much time being angry at my dad for not letting me go. Um, and then it’s like, you know, I believe everything happens for a reason. Um, and that helped me in my faith as well. Uh, just having that talk with him and, um, just realizing that like I don’t know and he doesn’t know like why he said no. Like, but like if he didn’t, maybe I wouldn’t be here. Uh, maybe things could have turned out differently. Who knows? Um, but I think that was that was huge. And then also just being homeless like the first time uh we lived with my aunt, the second time we lived with a family friend. Um and just really, you know, just figuring it out as a family. I think we grew very close during that time. Um and I think uh just watching my parents work and watching how they handled everything, uh did a lot for me and my sister, right? Yeah. I mean that you’ll grow up fast that way. For sure. Yeah. How did uh how did all that pull your family together? Yeah, I think um I think it’s it’s interesting because like it’s kind of like it’s kind of like the conditioning test, you know, like like when you’re going through like a really sucky time with a group of people like it has no choice. Either tears you apart or grows you together, you know? And I think um my family being so deep in their faith, it also helped as well. uh just really like leaning on each other, you know, um and just kind of realizing that like God won’t put us through anything that he can’t get us through. And you know, where we are today doesn’t mean we’re going to be stuck here for the rest of our life. Um and just really figuring it out from there, but also just enjoying it. Uh still like me and my sister like we were still outside playing basketball when we had basketball go somewhere or whatever. Um, but just like really just enjoying life and just really still trying to make memories and the best out of the situation. So, so when when you when you comb through all that and then you get you get drafted, I mean, you play at Georgia, obviously you played at a high super, you know, big- time program and then you get drafted, when you’re thinking about like the emotions of draft night, are you thinking about this whole journey up to this point? Um, yes and no. Like it like it it’s weird cuz like I feel like my mind’s like on a constant go. Um, like even on draft night, like draft night was like one probably one of the most interesting nights for me ever. Uh, cuz like I didn’t know like my my range was so wide. Like I could have went really early or I could have went second round, you know? I wasn’t sure. That would have been crazy. Um, yeah. I mean, I I I didn’t know, you know, I I took the whole day as like it’s going to be what it’s going to be and whatever it is, I’m going to make the most out of it, you know. And um like we were sitting there and I remember I brought Uno cuz I was like I love Uno. It’s like it’s like my favorite thing to do. Uh I guess that’s another thing. There you go. You got to try Attack Uno, by the way, if you haven’t played Attack Uno. That’s my kids favorite. I don’t even know what that is. We going to talk about it. Yeah. So like so like I I didn’t know. So like I brought Uno and then like like for like the up until like pick 13, we were playing Uno. Um, then I sat down, whatever. And then, uh, it’s funny. Uh, the Falcons traded back in at 26. My fiance and my mom looked at me and they’re like, and I was like, it’s probably not going to happen. I was like, there’s a good chance they I know who they I know who they need. It’s probably not going to happen, right? I get up to go grab the Uno cards. I’m like, I’m bored. Like, if I have it wrong all night, like I’m watching everybody. Like, I’m happy cuz like most of my best friends are like getting their like dream or whatever. cuz I’m happy, but I’m bored. So, I’m like, I’m about to go grab Uno car. So, like I get up. I’m about to get up to go grab Uno cards. And my phone starts ringing. And I’m like, for a second, I forget where I was at. I was like, like I guess I was like nervous, but like for a second, I was like, I’m not going to answer. I was like, whoa. Yeah. I was like, you want to pick up? I was like, whoa, don’t do that. Don’t do that. So, like I look at the phone, it’s Eric. And uh it’s like I don’t even know. like the the emotions were like crazy. It was like a feeling I never felt before. Um but I think I was just so ready like and I told him like I was just ready to get here. Like I was ready to get to work and like I think like in that moment right now like I was and I am you know like I was sitting in there all night like I was watching like whatever teams pass me whatever and I was like whoever grabs me like they’re going to get the best version of me like ever. Um, and I think, you know, that that call changed my life. And, you know, I want to say he has no idea, but he does. But like he like truly doesn’t have understanding like how much that call meant for me. Well, I don’t want to toot my own horn, but I I did say I called it in February that you were coming to the Ravens. Like, so we make our mock draft picks, right? Every year we pick every all seven rounds who we think the Ravens are going to take. And I said in February, I was like, Malachi Starks is my guy. I’m planting my flag. So, I knew it. You just didn’t know yet. I I didn’t. And I I I saw like I saw a bunch of stuff and like I saw like B like towards the end of it I kept seeing Baltimore. It was Baltimore. It was Baltimore. And like at the at the beginning I didn’t see that. And like I talked to them once at the combine. That was it. So I was like there’s a possibility, but like they don’t even really like they don’t really even like really know me like for real. Like they have they don’t they don’t they don’t have no interest in me. Um and then my combine interview went very well. Um, and then you know I guess the rest is history. But uh, no, it’s been it’s been awesome. It really has. It’s kind of crazy because I was there was so much smoke around the Ravens drafting you and typically speaking like you haven’t probably paid attention to this, but Eric, he is a tough guy to read just in general. Okay. So, he doesn’t want any information getting out. And so, the fact that there was so much smoke around you, I was like, they must not want him because there’s too much there’s so much smoke around. And of course, they they did. I think they just couldn’t hide it. everybody knew that they would might be interested in you and just the fit and all that stuff. Um, so it’s kind of interesting like you weren’t you were kind of thinking almost in the way that I was at the end that you were like I they only talked to me one time that it doesn’t seem like that’s going to be the right fit. Right. And like I knew like it was a possibility. Um but I was like I was talking to so many other people. Yeah. Um who did you think you were going to go to? Then I thought I thought there was a few places I thought I could either end up in uh in Miami. Uh I heard that one a lot too. I did too. I thought I could end up in Atlanta. Um I heard Seahawks. Uh I heard Mike McDonald. I heard Tampa. Um and uh it’s funny cuz after after Erica called me, my agent showed me a text and the Chiefs were about to like if he didn’t get me, the Chiefs were going to get me. Really? Um that makes me happy. So, so, uh, that was another possibility. So, like I really didn’t know like it was my my range was so wide. Um, but I was like, man, like I would love to go there, but they’ve only talked to me once. Like they they don’t want me. Like they it’s not going to happen. Um, and like uh I remember John like I remember Gruden like he was like Baltimore’s going to get you. Baltimore is going to get you. And I was like, you don’t know what he’s talking about. Um, you guys probably had a good laugh about that when when he was here at Min. Yeah, we did. We did. Um, but it it’s truly a blessing. It really is. Well, uh, I think that I knew it because you check so many boxes. You check practically every boxer is except for two. Okay. So, well, number one, number one, you don’t really like picking crabs. I found that out a few weeks ago. Okay. So, it’s not even it’s not even the fact that like I don’t like picking crabs. I just feel like I’m also I’m very like I’m not lazy, but like when I don’t need to be active, I’m not active. Okay, you’re chilling, right? Like you’re on your downtime, you don’t want to be putting that much effort into crabs. Yeah. It’s just like I feel like you put a lot of effort and you don’t get a lot of food out of it, you know? It’s like now like if somebody were like to like do all the work and then lay the crab on the table, I like the crab cake. It’s already picked for you. Yeah. Um Okay. But I just don’t like the work. I’m It’s just too much for me. All right. All right. And number two, you’re a Troy Palo guy. I mean, that’s the only other part, you know, as a as a devoted ed guy growing up who had many debates. Ed, Troy, just saying. Okay, let let me let me let me put this out there. I think Ed is the best to ever play a game. I I don’t disagree with that at all. I think I grew up watching Troy. Yeah. Um, like when I went in the living room, like for some reason they were always on the TV. Like it’s just like the only game that like my parents or what everybody was watching. And I think like the way that I watched him like move around and like I mean Troy Troy was awesome. I’m not trying to take Yeah. Troy was awesome. And I think I think that’s what it was. But I think like like I will stand on the table like it is the best HD to ever play the game of football. There we go. Without a doubt. Totally redeemed yourself. Without a doubt. Without a doubt. And like it’s it’s crazy cuz like I knew I knew about like the whole Pittsburgh thing and Baltimore like I knew about it cuz like we had some guys that played at Georgia that played at Pittsburgh or um but for some reason like it didn’t really click like my first interview here they uh media team is hilarious. my my first interview here. Um they had like these cards, right? And I had to read off the cards or whatever. And I think you were you were in there with me. They were like, “Uh, how do you feel about uh the I was a Pittsburgh uh Steelers fan growing up or whatever.” And like it didn’t hit me until I got here and I was like, “Oh no, dang.” I loved your answer. Like guys, I was a kid. I was a kid. Like let you let it go. You let it go. It was It was years ago. It was years ago. That’s awesome. Well, I forgot to ask you one question. And speaking of Ed and and interceptions, because honestly, like part of the reason why I thought you were going to become a Raven is because when I watched your college tape and some of those picks that you made, I was like, “Oh my god.” Like I was like, “This reminds me of my favorite player of all time growing up, Ed Reed.” Right? Like that’s why I was like, “This dude is meant to be a Raven.” All right. I’m just curious like do you think that there’s a chance that you are even more productive as a playmaker ball hawk in the NFL than you were in college where you had what six picks in three years? Like do you think that like your game and especially if you play more free safety potentially as opposed to moving around all over the place like you did at Georgia that like you could be even more productive as a ball hawk in the NFL? Yeah, I think I think without a doubt and I think I left also like I had a good bit of ball production but I left a lot in college as well. Um but I think it’s different like here like um it’s like really like how much knowledge do you have about the game of football? Yeah. And I think me being around a bunch of guys who are like great at football, have a bunch of knowledge and me being able to want to learn I think it’s only going to help. but also like like the dimensions like the the H is six six yards and six inches like it’s so much closer than it is in college. So like my my range will help me a lot and I think just being able to like pick up on the tendencies and pick up on like learn our defense inside and out and I think that’s going to help me a lot. But I think I think for sure I have more ball production now than I did in college. Awesome. All right. Well, now that you’ve cleared all that up, now you check every single box. Okay, cool. Awesome. Well, thank you for joining us. Thank you. Appreciate it, man. Thank you. Welcome back into the lounge podcast. We are coming to you from the CGE studio. We want to mention our partners at DraftKings Sportsbook. They are an official sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens. DraftKings Sportsbook, the crown is yours. Well, thank you to Malachi for joining us. Um, every time I talk to him, I come away more impressed. And that was the case again today. I think that he obviously has a great head on his shoulders. I think that is like the the understatement of the year. Um, but I he’s he’s really impressed me on the field, too. And just every time you talk to him, I I think I get a little bit more insight into how he’s wired, the work that he puts in, the focus, um, all of that stuff. And I just think he’s going to be a really good fit for this team for a long time. Yeah, he’s an he’s an unusual rookie. Like, you don’t come across many rookies that uh are just that mature, you know, and uh I think he’s also going to be an unusual player in a very good way. just a special dude. Like I I liked hearing him say like he went him going back and watching the Buffalo game. Like it’s a small thing like but part of it’s learning the defense, but also part of it’s like learning the history and like what where this team has been in order to get where to where they want to go. I think he wants an understanding of where this team has been. And those are the types of things that I don’t think everybody does. But he’s doing those little things and I think it’s going to pay dividends for him as a rookie. Yeah. Well, getting the rookies together for a walkth through in the uh you know ballroom at the hotel speaks for itself. Yeah. Yeah. So, really excited. Or doing the uh the water bottle assignments in in your hotel room. Yeah, exactly. It’s a little easier when you have other players, I guess, for the full walkthrough than water bottles. But, uh but I think all that all of that just tells you a little bit about who he is and uh I’m excited to see what he can do this year. So, um now as we talk about that, that’s interesting. The the one thing we get more commentary about than anything related to what’s going on on the football field is whenever we do a draft. Yep. We did a draft recently. We did a fruit draft. We drafted a whole bunch of different fruit and the results have come in from the listeners. Yep. And it is a hotly contested No, it is not very hotly contested debate here amongst the listeners in terms of who won the fruit draft. We have It’s a landslide. Thousands of emails. thousands of emails and they are very much split uh as to who won the draft. You cherrypicked a couple literally you picked cherries and you cherry picked a couple emails here that uh are on your side. But uh let me start with this one. This is this is an email that I didn’t my first email that I’m going to read here and as always you can email us at the lounge ravens.n.net. This isn’t even one that has me as the winner but it was just a great email. The subject line is ultimate insult ultimate tease for the AFC North. So, I was surprised to see an episode titled Biggest Remaining Questions Entering Training Camp and even more surprised that it was a 56-inute episode. We don’t really have an hour’s worth of big questions, do we? And so, I thought about a Browns fan stumbling across the the title thinking, “Wow, even the Ravens have an hour worth of questions. Maybe I’ll tune in and make me feel better.” Now, imagine this Browns Browns fan clicks into the episode with hopes of filling an emotional empty hole with the Ravens biggest vulnerabilities. He quickly hears you both say, “There aren’t really that many questions.” You start talking about third or fourth string positions and maybe Malachi Starks having some rookie assignments in his first game. By minute 30, you’re considering the O line being a top five unit, which would guarantee Lamar another MVP. What a tease. That’s bad enough. But then to pour salt in the wound of this Browns fan, the host start drafting fruits for 21 minutes. One host can’t remember the draft order. The other one is bismerching watermelon. What a luxury, an insult to hopeless AFC rival fans. That’s from Kai Dgner. So, Kai, thank you very much for that email. All right, this one comes from Cameron Mclofflin. Uh Cameron says, “Longtime listener, first- time emailer. I’ve thought about reaching out before, but have never been compelled until I listen to the fruit draft on my commute this morning. Overall, I thought this was a pretty even draft. Yes, you each had half of my top 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 choices. Both of you put together some very good combinations with your picks. With that being said, the tiebreaker was undoubtedly Ryan choosing mango with the sixth pick. Bonus points for the mention of a mango lassie. You probably don’t even know what it is. Do you do you even know what a mango lassie is? I do not know what a mango. Oh, this man is so uncultured. Unbelievable. It wasn’t my pick. You took the mango, so I don’t worry about it. Go eat at an Indian restaurant. Order the mango lassie and you can thank me later. All right. Garrett had the most ignorant in inane take of the whole pod shortly after when he said who drinks mango juice only billions of people around the world Garrett just because it’s not grown around you doesn’t mean that it isn’t fantastic in short this was the version of the Ravens picking Lamar Jackson at the end of the first round managed to take the best option on the board much later than it should have been available while Garrett perfectly played the role of all the teams who passed on Lamar Jackson well that’s one man’s opinion We appreciate that email. But Danilo writes, “I’m very disappointed that watermelon,” which I took, by the way. The second best fruit after banana, so I get banana and I got watermelon, was taken so low. I’d have to give it to Garrett because he had both. He had both of those. Mink hating on watermelon and banana was the last straw. Your only good pick was strawberry. That’s what I doubled down. The other thing I did about watermelon is like it’s impossible to eat watermelon and come away with a clean shirt. So you eat watermelon, right? You’re you’re signing up to look like a slob. You’re just a you’re a mess. So, I can’t help the fact that you’re a mess. Or and if you do the whole like bend over, you get like the sticky fingers. There’s just no good way to eat watermelon. Really? Keep yourself clean. I’m with I’m with DMAC here. I don’t know what your issue is with watermelon. It’s great. Um, another one. Just listen to the fruit draft. How is it possible to be so dominated? For me, it’s an easy choice. Garrett, you won yet again. Even though I Where’s all the orange? Uh, yeah, I think you guys I have to lose the next draft just to keep Ryan continuing to draft. That’s from uh Benjamin in Sweden. So, another one I mean Sweden Swedish people don’t know fruit. Yeah. Yeah, that’s right. That’s right. What’s your argument? What is your argument? Citrus is coming up to Sweden. Look, this is this isn’t just because I have Norwegian relatives and Norway and Sweden bitter rivals. But Sweden, I’m sorry. This is This is You don’t know what what’s up with citrus. This is the best email uh that you know in your favor. It says, “I’ll be blunt. I’ll be honest here. I’ll be blunt. As a dedicated and avid listener, you both deserve to lose.” That’s the best case for me. Pray out the emails next time. You’re biased for you. Uh he said, “You didn’t include the best fruit of all, the avocado.” This is from Pierre. That was that was a common uh complaint in emails that we got, which I agree with. A I didn’t even know that like Okay, technically avocado is a fruit category. Right now, if avocado was on the list, very high on my board. Avocado is fantastic. Yes. But it just feels like it should be a different category. A more savory. Yeah, I agree. Um all right, here’s Same with tomatoes. Like tomatoes are fruit, right? That’s hotly debated. Yeah. Um this email comes from Kai Frasier, London Ravens fan. He says, “Hey guys, I never laugh so much in a draft, so I’m glad that we can provide uh some entertainment for you.” When I when Garrett jumped the gun on Strawberry, I nearly nearly had to pull over. That might be the best draft moment of all. Banana first pick was crazy to me. I still stand by Banana first overall pick. Ryan absolutely killed it in this draft. Mango so late was insane. A lot of a lot of props. A lot of a lot of props for the big pick for me. Also, Garrett’s cherry pick was very good. So, good job, Ryan is what he says. So, there we go. Yeah. Well, there was one that was talking about the undrafted uh he’s got a whole squad of undrafted fruits. Yeah, I think he the tomato and the avocado and the olive were olive. He had a like stacked undrafted squad. Well, look, Ravens love undrafted prospects. So, if you have an undrafted list of fruits, that’s a good thing as well. True. Uh, so again, as always, you can email us at the lounge at ravens.n.net. We always love hearing from you. Uh, thanks again to Malachi for joining us. And, uh, training camp is here, right? As you just saw, rookies are in the building, quarterbacks are in the building, and the vets report next week. The first full practice is coming up next Wednesday, so stay tuned for that. We’re going to be bringing to bringing you all the coverage throughout training camp. Thank you so much for watching and for listening. We’ll be back with you again soon.

Ravens first-round rookie Malaki Starks joins team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing to talk about his outlook on training camp, how he handles the pressure of being an instant starter, how he’s learning the defense and gelling with Kyle Hamilton, how he plans to be a leader, his challenging Georgia upbringing, and much more.

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