UGA Football Star Ladd McConkey Talks Wide Receiver Depth And More
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ATHENS - Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs head into the 2023 season with one of their deepest and most talented receiver rooms in recent memory.
They may not have Adonai Mitchell or Dominick Blaylock around, but there’s still plenty of experienced pass-catchers in Bryan McClendon’s room ready to have a big season this fall.
The group will be led by veteran Ladd McConkey who decided to come back to Athens for his fourth and final season. A former three-star prospect out of North Murray (GA), MConkey is an excellent route-runner who gives Georgia not only a down-field presence, but has become a major weapon in the red-zone as well.
He’s extremely talented and saved his best performance for the biggest stage, catching five passes for 88 yards with two touchdowns against TCU in Georgia’s national championship win.
He’s one of the top receivers in the SEC and has taken on a leadership role this year. He spoke with reporters last week about personal improvements, the offense progressing, and the wide receiver room as a whole.
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On improvements during the offseason…
"Outside route running and controlling my body. I feel like I have always been athletic, but I didn't know how to use it running my routes. I feel like that is one area that I have developed the most."
On taking steps forward on offense…
"We had a lot of guys come back on the perimeter backfield. Our quarterbacks, it is not their first year in the system. They have been around. They have taken so many reps in practice. Being at our practice, y'all know the intensity of it and the demand they are put on. I am confident in it. I am confident in our coaches. I am looking forward to it."
On the wide receiver group…
"What stands out is our depth. We have like three guys at every position that could go in and not skip a beat. We all have our different styles of play, but there are so many guys who can go in there and contribute. That is exciting. Stay fresh the whole time. I don't think the defensive backs can rotate like that, so if we can always have fresh guys in there and go play fast, it will be special."
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2023:
Named to Preseason Media Days All-SEC First Team...Wuerffel Trophy Watch List selection...Biletnikoff Award Watch List selection.
2022:
Coaches' All-SEC Second Team...started at WR in 14 of 15 games...second on team in receptions with 58 on the season for 762 yards and seven TDs...also has 17 punt returns for a 12.31 average...also rushed twice for 16 yards, including a 9-yard TD run vs. Oregon...had a 37-yard catch, as well as two punt returns for 32 yards, in win over Samford...had four catches for 52 yards in win at South Carolina...career-high six receptions in win over Kent State...five catches for 47 yards and a career-long 38-yard punt return in win over Auburn...four catches for 51 yards and a TD in win over Florida...team-high five catches for 94 yards, including a 37-yarder for a TD, in win over Tennessee...five catches for 71 yards and a TD in win at Mississippi State...also scored on a 70-yard run vs. the Bulldogs...did not catch a pass in win over Ga. Tech but did return two punts for 53 yards (incl. a career-long 39-yarder) and had one rush for 14 yards...had two catches in win over Ohio State in the CFP Semifinal Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl...had one carry for 14 yards and five receptions for combined 88 yards with two touchdowns in CFP National Championship Game win over TCU.
2021:
Coaches’ Freshman All-SEC Team...Played in all 15 games, starting in seven (CU, VU, ARK, AU, UK, UF, MIZ) and finished the season with 31 catches (second-best on team) for 447 yards and five TDs...team-high five receptions for 135 yards in win at #18 Auburn, including a 60-yard TD catch...named SEC Freshman of the Week for his efforts...team-high three catches in win over #8 Arkansas...had receiving and rushing TDs on successive drives in win at Vandy...had four catches for 62 yards vs. the Commodores...also had a pair of punt returns at Vandy, including a 19-yarder...had a 32-yard TD catch and run vs. Alabama in SEC Championship Game...had two catches for 24 yards, as well as punt returns of 34 and 28 yards, in win over Charleston Southern...had a catch for 32 yards in win over UAB...had one 12-yard grab in win over South Carolina.
2020:
Redshirted...member of the scout team...named to the J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Honor Roll for Fall 2020.