At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Emmanwori profiles as one of the most physical defensive backs entering the draft. The AP first-team All-American last season told media at the combine that he models his game after Derwin James, Kam Chancellor and Kyle Hamilton.
Emmanwori set the combine ablaze with a 4.38-second 40-yard dash and had a 43-inch vertical jump. During his media session, Emmanwori confirmed he met formally with the Bills and said if he were drafted by Buffalo, one of the best attributes he’d provide is his positive energy.
“That’s been my whole motto, just be positive. Always smiling, always laughing,” he said.
Don’t make no mistake about it though, Emmanwori said he knows how to channel that positive energy into physicality.
“I’m a bigger dude and I can run. I’m not really scared to go make tackles. I’m not scared to go cover any slots, cover any tight ends,” he said.
Emmanwori racked up 244 tackles, 11 pass breakups, six INTs and two pick-sixes in three seasons at South Carolina.
Malaki Starks, S, Georgia,
Starks made waves at Georgia from the get-go, earning the starting free safety role as a true freshman in 2022. He went on to lead the team in total defensive snaps that year. Starks told reporters in Indianapolis that what helped him stand out as a freshman was his ability to cover then-teammate TE Brock Bowers in practice.
A year later, Starks was named first team All-SEC and helped lead the Bulldogs to a national championship.
Starks was recruited to Georgia by Buffalo Bills cornerbacks coach Jahmile Addae, who was Georgia’s DBs coach in 2021 before he went to become Miami’s secondary coach.
Starks shared that he interviewed with the Bills at the combine and would love a chance to play for a coach who recruited him out of high school.
“It was great to talk ball with them, be in my space,” said Starks, who noted his enthusiasm for studying film.
In addition to his on-field acumen, Starks is a leader in the locker room. He was named a finalist for the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup, an award given to athletes who embody the leadership, service and excellence values of legendary coach John Wooden.