Ladd McConkey

Last updated

Ladd McConkey
Ladd McConkey 2024.png
McConkey at the Senior Bowl in 2024
No. 15 – Los Angeles Chargers
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (2001-11-11) November 11, 2001 (age 23)
Chatsworth, Georgia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
High school: North Murray (Chatsworth)
College: Georgia (2020–2023)
NFL draft: 2024  / round: 2 / pick: 34
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
NFL record
  • Receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game: 197
Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2024
Receptions:82
Receiving yards:1,149
Receiving touchdowns:7
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Andrew Ladd McConkey (born November 11, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, winning two national championships and the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy. He was selected by the Chargers in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Contents

Early life

McConkey attended North Murray High School in Chatsworth, Georgia. [1] [2] He made the varsity team as a freshman. McConkey played quarterback, running back, defensive back, and punter and was also a return specialist. [3] In his senior year, he led North Murray to a 9–1 record and the school's first ever region championship. [4] McConkey finished the year with 36 total touchdowns and 3,051 total yards, being named the offensive player of the year for the region. [5] McConkey was a three-star recruit and committed to the University of Georgia, his only Power Five offer, on February 2, 2020. [6] [7] His jersey number, 15, was retired by North Murray in 2023. [8]

College career

McConkey redshirted and was initially a member of Georgia's scout team. [9] In McConkey's redshirt freshman year, he caught five touchdowns with 28 receptions for 430 yards. [10] His first career touchdown came against Vanderbilt. McConkey also rushed for one touchdown. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after the 34-10 win over Auburn, where he had 135 yards receiving and one touchdown. [11] McConkey played in all of Georgia's games making seven starts. [12]

McConkey scored two touchdowns, one receiving, and one rushing, against Oregon in the 2022 season opener. [13] Against Kent State, McConkey recorded a career high six receptions. [14] He scored a touchdown against Florida before tallying a season-high 94 yards against #1 Tennessee. [15] [16] The following week against Mississippi State, McConkey would rush for a 70-yard touchdown while also adding a 17-yard receiving touchdown. [17] He left the SEC Championship Game against LSU on December 3, 2022, due to knee tendinitis. [18]

In the 2023 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, McConkey recorded five receptions for 88 yards and two touchdowns in a 65–7 victory. [19] Following the game, he announced that he would return to Georgia for the 2023 season. [20] [21]

The following season, McConkey missed significant time due to injuries. [22] [23] He finished the regular season with 29 receptions for 456 yards and two touchdowns, and he was named the recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy. [24] [25] On January 1, 2024, McConkey declared for the 2024 NFL draft. [26] [27] McConkey graduated from Georgia in 2023 with a degree in finance. [28]

College statistics
SeasonGPReceivingRushing
RecYdsAvgTDAttYdsAvgTD
2020 Redshirt Redshirt.svg
2021 153144714.4544411.01
2022 155876213.17713419.12
2023 93047815.7223819.01
Career 391191,68714.1141321616.24

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+5⁄8 in
(1.82 m)		186 lb
(84 kg)		30+1⁄4 in
(0.77 m)		8+5⁄8 in
(0.22 m)		4.39 s1.52 s2.54 s4.04 s6.72 s36.0 in
(0.91 m)		10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)		13 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [29] [30] [31]

McConkey was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers 34th overall with the pick acquired from a trade with New England Patriots. [32] On June 19, 2024, McConkey signed his four-year rookie contract with the Chargers worth $9.9 million guaranteed, with a $4 million signing bonus. [33] In his NFL debut, he scored a receiving touchdown in a 22–10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1. [34] In a Week 8 victory over the New Orleans Saints, he had six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns. [35] In Week 11 against the Cincinnati Bengals, he had six receptions for 123 yards in the 34–27 win. [36] In Week 17, McConkey broke the Chargers rookie franchise record for the most receptions and yards by a Charger rookie in a single season, a record formerly held by Keenan Allen. [37] He had two receiving touchdowns in the game, a 40–7 win over the New England Patriots. [38] In the 2024 season, McConkey finished with 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. [39] In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, McConkey had nine receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown in the 32–12 loss. He set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in a single postseason game. [40]

NFL career statistics

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceivingFumbles
GPGSTgtRecYdsAvgY/GLngTDFumLost
2024 LAC 1614112821,14914.071.860720
Career 1614112821,14914.071.860720

Postseason

YearTeamGamesReceivingFumbles
GPGSTgtRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2024 LAC 1114919721.986100
Career 1114919721.986100

Personal life

A middle child, McConkey grew up a fan of the Tennessee Volunteers. [16] [41] His father, Benji McConkey, was a star quarterback in high school at Dalton High, [42] while his brother, Hinton McConkey, played quarterback for the University of West Georgia in Division II in 2018. [43] McConkey writes "1-20-16" on his towel before games to honor his grandfather Vic McConkey, who died on that date. [44]

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References

  1. ↑ Mayes, Daniel (January 10, 2023). "Hometown hero McConkey helps Georgia to historic national title beatdown". The Daily Citizen. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Ladd McConkey celebrated at North Murray High School". WDEF. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Ladd Mcconkey's High School Timeline". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  4. ↑ Ewalt, David (November 14, 2019). "Ladd McConkey is North Georgia's Most Exciting Player". Recruit Georgia. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ Jones, Jamie (February 5, 2020). "Home work: North Murray's McConkey ready to compete at Georgia". The Daily Citizen. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  6. ↑ Sentell, Jeff (February 2, 2020). "Homegrown Georgia WR Ladd McConkey has made his college decision". DawgNation. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  7. ↑ Curtright, Austin. "Where will Ladd McConkey be drafted? Chiefs lead list of 2024 NFL Draft landing spots". Online Athens. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  8. ↑ Mayes, Daniel (September 12, 2023). "Ladd McConkey's No. 15 to be retired by North Murray football; Ceremony to take place during Oct. 20 game". The Daily Citizen. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  9. ↑ Griffith, Mike (September 26, 2021). "Ladd McConkey gives Georgia receiving corps rocket boost in 62-0 win over Vanderbilt". DawgNation. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  10. ↑ Felder, Justin (December 3, 2021). "McConkey's hometown fans not surprised by his breakout season". FOX 5 Atlanta. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  11. ↑ Kelley, Kevin (October 11, 2021). "Ladd McConkey named SEC Freshman of the Week". SicEmDawgs.com. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Ladd McConkey 2021 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  13. ↑ Roe, Josh (September 4, 2022). "Chatsworth, GA native Ladd McConkey scores twice as Georgia beats Oregon, 49-3". WTVCFOX. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  14. ↑ Riley, Connor (September 24, 2022). "Ladd McConkey struggles, second-half bounce back sums up 'ugly' win for Georgia football". DawgNation. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Football vs Florida on 10/29/2022 - Box Score". University of Georgia Athletics. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  16. 1 2 Farner, Keith (November 6, 2022). "Ladd McConkey, who grew up a Tennessee fan, shares what the latest Georgia win means". Saturday Down South. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Top-ranked Georgia cruises to 45-19 win at Mississippi State". CBSSports.com. Associated Press. November 13, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  18. ↑ Scarborough, Alex (December 3, 2022). "UGA WR McConkey exits with tendinitis in knees". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  19. ↑ Thompson, Scott (January 10, 2023). "Georgia's Ladd McConkey praises Stetson Bennett after another national title: 'He shows up in the big moments'". Fox News. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ Harvey, Preston (January 19, 2023). "Georgia's Ladd McConkey will be returning for the 2023 season according to social media post". WJCL. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  21. ↑ Warden, Owen (January 18, 2023). "Ladd McConkey returns to Georgia for 2023 season". The Red and Black. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  22. ↑ Parrish Jr., Kevin (December 13, 2023). "Kirby Smart Offers Injury Update On Wide Receiver Ladd McConkey". The Spun . Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  23. ↑ Emerson, Seth (November 20, 2023). "McConkey could sit out vs. Georgia Tech after ankle injury". The Athletic. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  24. ↑ Gadsby, James (December 8, 2023). "University of Georgia's Ladd McConkey Selected as the 2023 Wuerffel Trophy Recipient". Wuerffel Trophy. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  25. ↑ Davis, Brett (December 9, 2023). "Georgia's Ladd McConkey Wins Wuerffel Trophy". Albany Herald. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  26. ↑ Kirby II, Christian (January 1, 2024). "Ladd McConkey Announces 2024 Draft Decision". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  27. ↑ Emerson, Seth (January 1, 2024). "Georgia WR Ladd McConkey declares for NFL Draft". The Athletic. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Ninety-Nine UGA Student-Athletes Scheduled to Graduate". University of Georgia Athletics. May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Ladd McConkey Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  30. ↑ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Ladd McConkey College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  31. ↑ Kramer, Kelsey (March 13, 2024). "Georgia's Kirby Smart sings high praise for WR Ladd McConkey as his draft stock rises". AToZSports.com. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  32. ↑ McBroom, Will (April 26, 2024). "Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey goes No. 34 overall to the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 NFL draft". University of Georgia Wire. USA Today. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers Sign Ladd McConkey". Chargers.com. June 19, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  34. ↑ "Chargers' Ladd McConkey: Scores TD in debut". CBSSports.com. September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  35. ↑ "New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers - October 27th, 2024". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Cincinnati Bengals at Los Angeles Chargers - November 17th, 2024". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  37. ↑ Navarro, Omar (December 28, 2024). "How Chargers WR Ladd McConkey Put Together a Historic Rookie Season". Chargers.com. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  38. ↑ "Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots - December 28th, 2024". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Ladd McConkey 2024 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  40. ↑ Wakeman, Travis (January 12, 2025). "Ladd McConkey sets NFL rookie record in Chargers' loss to Texans". Sporting News. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  41. ↑ Austin, Brooks (March 9, 2020). "Georgia Football: Get to Know 2020 Signee, Ladd McConkey". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  42. ↑ Robinson, Lauren (August 13, 2021). "Greatest Quarterbacks of All Time - Football". Chattanooga High School Football. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  43. ↑ "Hinton McConkey - 2018 - Football". UWG Wolves Athletics. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  44. ↑ Sentell, Jeff (October 13, 2021). "Georgia football: The crazy story on where Ladd McConkey was headed before his UGA offer". DawgNation. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
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