Georgia’s Ladd McConkey was an incredibly efficient player, but one who didn’t see much volume.
As he embarks on his journey to the NFL, let’s look back at McConkey’s history and see how he became a potential first-round prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Where Did Ladd McConkey’s Football Career Start?
McConkey went to North Murray High School in Chatsworth, Ga.
Clearly a special athlete right from the start, he bypassed junior varsity entirely, making the varsity team as a freshman.
It would be unfair to describe high school McConkey as anything other than an offensive weapon. As is often the case in high school football, the best player does it all. McConkey played quarterback and running back on offense. He played defensive back on defense. But that wasn’t all. McConkey was also his team’s punter and return specialist.
MORE: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft
As a senior, North Murray went 9-1 and captured the first regional championship in school history. McConkey totaled 36 touchdowns and 3,051 all-purpose yards. He was the offensive player of the year in the region.
McConkey was a three-star recruit who didn’t really garner much attention from major Division I programs. He received 10 offers, but outside of Vanderbilt, most were from weaker D-I or FCS schools. That is, except for Georgia.
By far the best program to recruit McConkey, he enrolled ahead of the 2020 season.
Revisiting McConkey’s College Career
Georgia
Entering the college game without a clear position, McConkey redshirted his entire freshman year, failing to play a single snap. He participated on Georgia’s scout team.
As a sophomore (redshirt freshman), McConkey became a regular part of the offense. He played in 15 games, catching 31 passes for 447 yards and five touchdowns. McConkey also ran the ball four times for 44 yards and a score.
McConkey’s role increased even further as a junior (redshirt sophomore). Again playing in 15 games, McConkey reeled in 58 balls for 762 yards and seven touchdowns. His rushing proficiency continued to progress as well, as he added seven carries for 134 yards and another two scores.
Ashes to ashes,
Funk to funky,
You just got smoked,
By Ladd McConkey— College Football Network (@CFN365) December 4, 2021
As a senior, injuries limited McConkey to just nine games. He snagged 30 passes for 478 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 38 yards and a score.
With a year of eligibility remaining but four years of school completed, McConkey declared for the 2024 NFL Draft following the conclusion of the season.
McConkey’s Potential in the NFL
Like many of the projected first- and second-round prospects, McConkey has a high ceiling. But he’s far from a complete prospect, and more likely to be a rotational piece of an NFL offense.
Here’s what Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings had to say about McConkey.
“The Georgia WR profiles well as a versatile slot and movement Z receiver with immediate starting utility. In a class with so many size-speed wide receivers, there are some factors that may keep McConkey from locking himself in as a top-five positional prospect.
“McConkey isn’t an elite size-adjusted athlete, but he offers more than enough functional athleticism and speed to hold his own at the NFL level. On Day 1, he can be a surgical separator, with sharp catching instincts, strong hands, an added RAC element, and hard-nosed blocking ability.
“McConkey might not have WR1 upside, but he could be a vital piece of a rotation as a quality WR2/3 with slot, boundary, and motion capabilities, with the separation chops and hands to be a target funnel, chain-mover, and clutch presence on money downs.”
KEEP READING: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Ladd McConkey
Highlights, Records, and More
McConkey comes to the NFL with a ton of big-game experience. He played in six bowl games, including two National Championship games, winning both.
As for personal accolades, McConkey was named second-team All-SEC in 2022. He also won the Wuerffel Trophy in 2023, which is awarded to the college football player “who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.”
McConkey may very well end up being a gadget player at the next level. Although that term has a bit of a negative stigma to it, there’s nothing wrong with him being a situational offensive weapon and a potential game-changer for his NFL team.
Draft with your friends today! PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator now supports multiple drafters during the same draft! Find out how the PFN Scouting Department ranks this year’s prospects with our 2024 NFL Draft Big Board and follow along throughout the draft with our NFL team needs tracker.
