With the No. 34 pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers selected wide receiver Ladd McConkey. The former Georgia Bulldogs star has made an immediate impact and emerged as the Chargers’ WR1. He has clearly developed a special connection with quarterback Justin Herbert, and he has a bright future in the league. Here is everything you need to know about McConkey and his journey to the NFL.
How Tall Is Ladd McConkey?
McConkey is a 6’0” wide receiver prospect, which puts him in the 36th percentile among his contemporaries. His arm length is just 30 1’4” (19th percentile), which doesn’t do him any favors. While it may impact his catch radius, it hasn’t seemed to cause too many issues for him, as he has produced at every level.
How Much Does McConkey Weigh?
McConkey tips the scales at 186 pounds (15th percentile), which puts him on the smaller side at the wide receiver position. With that said, he displays plenty of play strength and has no problem breaking tackles.
This suggests McConkey packs some physics-defying strength despite his lack of overall weight.
How Old Is McConkey?
McConkey turned 23 years old on Nov. 11 and, therefore, is a bit older than some of the other top receivers in this rookie class.
McConkey spent four years in college, resulting in him being slightly older than some of his draft peers.
What School Did McConkey Go To?
McConkey attended North Murray High School in Chatsworth, Ga., where he spent time at quarterback, running back, defensive back, punter, kick returner, and punt returner.
Despite recording 36 touchdowns and 3,051 total yards as a senior, he was a three-star recruit. Georgia was the only Power Five school to offer him a scholarship, so he committed to the Bulldogs. McConkey has said that he would have ended up at UT-Chattanooga if George hadn’t extended a late offer during the recruiting cycle.
In a day and age where players regularly change teams once or twice in search of more playing time or potential NIL (name, image, and likeness) opportunities, McConkey played all four years of his college ball at Georgia.
Revisiting McConkey’s College Career
McConkey immediately shined as a redshirt freshman with the Bulldogs. His 31 receptions for 441 yards and five scores earned him a spot on the coaches’ freshman All-SEC team. The under-recruited WR started seven games during Georgia’s first title run.
McConkey followed an impressive freshman season with a strong sophomore campaign. He was again the second-leading receiver on the team behind tight end Brock Bowers, catching 58 passes for 762 yards and seven touchdowns. The Georgia WR also ran the ball seven times, averaging 19.1 yards per carry and notching two TDs on the ground.
Injuries prevented McConkey from producing steadily through the 2023 season, but his impact was still very clear when he was on the field. He finished his collegiate career with two national championships, 119 receptions, 1,687 yards, and 18 total touchdowns.
At the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, his crisp route-running ability made him one of the event’s stars. The Chargers clearly saw enough from McConkey throughout his time at Georgia and the NFL pre-draft process to make him an early second-round pick.
Now, just as he did at Georgia and North Murray High School, McConkey has emerged as a difference-maker right out of the gate.