Ladd McConkey making major impact in the community, on the field

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey is likely to appear on next week’s watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, a title that goes to the nation’s best pass catcher. However, that’s not the only watch list his name will be on.

Just this past week, McConkey was included on lists for the Wuerffel Trophy and the William V. Campbell Trophy, both of which recognize players for their performance on the field along with in the classroom and the community. So, for as big of an impact as he has on the field, McConkey has an equal or even greater impact off of it.

“It’s a huge honor being able to do more than just football,” McConkey told members of the media in attendance for Thursday’s availability after Georgia’s first practice of fall camp.

“At the end of the day, we’re not just football players. But there’s so many other guys that do it with me. We went out to Camp Sunshine and 10 of us went. It’s not just me, but it’s cool to be recognized and put up for those awards.”

McConkey, when he wasn’t working out with the Bulldogs, spent time during the offseason reading to kids at local schools and volunteering . Last December, he surprised a 10-year-old resident of his hometown, signing his Christmas gift of a new No. 84 McConkey jersey.

“We saw on Facebook a little video of him opening my jersey. He started crying and breaking down,” McConkey recalled. “My mom reached out to their family and was like, ‘Hey, Ladd would love to sign his jersey. You can come to the house, or we can meet you or something.’ They pulled up to the house, and I walked out there and surprised him. It was pretty cool to be able to do that for him.”

When he’s not making people’s day better off the field, he’s making defenders’ days harder on it. A First-Team All-SEC selection in the preseason, McConkey returns to Athens for his fourth season in the program after catching 58 passes for 762 yards and seven scores in 2022.

McConkey redshirted in 2020 before coming onto the scene in a big way in 2021. Playing in all 15 games and starting seven, McConkey finished second on the team in catches, hauling in 31 balls for 447 yards and five touchdowns. He had a team-high five receptions for 135 yards including a 60-yard touchdown on the road in a ranked win over rival Auburn, earning SEC Freshman of the Week for his efforts. Also finding the end zone against Vanderbilt (twice – one rushing, one receiving), Missouri, Georgia Tech and Alabama, McConkey was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team at season’s end.

Then of course, he did it again in 2022. Finishing second on the team in receiving for a second consecutive season, McConkey was named to the All-SEC Second-Team – battling through tendonitis in his knee all season long to still put up the impressive numbers. He’ll look to improve upon that this season now that he’s feeling healthy.

“Really, rest was the biggest thing for me, getting in the training room, doing rehab, staying consistent with it. I feel really good right now. I haven’t had any issues with anything. Looking forward to it,” McConkey said about his health. “Obviously, when the season comes, bumps and bruises, it happens, especially in the SEC. But I feel good now, and hopefully it’ll stay that way.”

McConkey, far from a highly touted recruit who was looking at FCS schools like Chattanooga and Jacksonville State before Georgia offered him less than a month before Signing Day, is now on the radar of NFL teams. Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy highlighted McConkey in his offseason preparation while an NFL scout told ESPN “he’s a top-50 player on (his) early list.”

“Obviously that’s the goal. Since you’re little everybody wants to go play in the league. That doesn’t happen if I don’t take care of my business here,” McConkey said. “I’m taking it a day at a time. Doing my thing. When that time comes, hopefully I’ve set myself up to be in the best position possible. 17-year-old me, not knowing where I was going to college, and having this opportunity, I’d be pretty excited. That’s why I like to go out there and approach it like it’s my last day, like I’m not going to come out here to play again tomorrow. It’s pretty cool to think about.”

“Really just be more consistent with my routes, catching, health, everything, blocking,” he added on what he wants to improve in his game. “Be more consistent. That’s the main thing I’m trying to focus on this year.”

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