ATHENS — Five Georgia football players were named All-Americans for their play during the 2024 season.
Junior safety Malaki Starks was the lone unanimous All-American, as he appeared on all five All-American teams. Starks earned first-team honors from the AFCA and FWAA All-American teams and second-team status on the Sporting News, The Associated Press and Walter Camp All-American teams.
As a junior, Starks led Georgia in tackles with 73 while recording an interception, four tackles for loss and three pass breakups.
Starks also wad a consensus All-American in 2023.
Outside linebacker Jalon Walker landed on three All-American teams. The AFCA team listed Walker as a first-team selection, with Walter Camp tabbing him as a second-team pick and the AP having him as a third-team selection.
Walker won the Butkus Award, which is given to the nation’s top linebacker. Walker is the third Georgia player to win the award, joining Nakobe Dean and Roquan Smith. Walker leads Georgia in tackles for loss with 10.5 and is tied for the team-lead in sacks with 6.5.
Offensive lineman Tate Ratledge was a first-team selection by the AFCA and a third-team pick by the AP. Ratledge missed four games this season because of injury, but was a difference-maker when he was able to suit up for the Bulldogs this season.
Dylan Fairchild and Brett Thorson both were second-team All-Americans by the AP. Fairchild was one of two Georgia offensive linemen to start every game this season, while Thorson was a finalist for the Ray Guy award.
Thorson suffered a season-ending knee injury in the SEC Championship game win over Texas. Freshman Drew Miller, who has never punted before, is expected to replace Thorson in Georgia’s next game.
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