During Georgia’s run to back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022, wide receiver Ladd McConkey emerged as one of the Bulldogs’ most reliable offensive weapons.
McConkey left Georgia with 1,687 yards and 14 receiving touchdowns on 119 carries. The Chatsworth, Ga. native, who did not earn a scholarship from the Bulldogs until late in the process, is now likely to be picked in the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft later this month.
Through his relationship with Six Star Pro Nutrition, whose products McConkey says have been “helping with strength, recovery and endurance” and have made things “super easy” throughout the draft process, we were able to speak with the UGA standout recently about his career thus far and the next steps.
Here’s what McConkey had to say:
The Spun: What has this entire pre-draft process been like for you? Has it been what you expected or has anything taken you by surprise?
Ladd McConkey: I kind of went into it with no expectations. I heard what people had to say but didn’t really know what to expect besides what people told me. But it’s been good so far. It’s going smoothly, with the Senior Bowl, Combine, Pro Day and now just getting ready for the draft.
The Spun: Some of the latest mock drafts have you potentially going late in the first round. Do you pay attention to any of those mocks or go by however it plays out?
LM: I don’t pay too much attention to them. Obviously, if you look at any social media, you see some floating around. But I don’t really pay too much attention to those, because at the end of the day, whatever happens, happens and I’ll be happy with whatever it is.
The Spun: You came to Georgia in the class of 2020 after getting a late offer. You redshirted, then contributed in 2021 before really taking off the last two seasons. Now, you’re potentially a first-round pick, and if not, should be picked early on Friday. Have you ever thought about how everything played out for you?
LM: Yea, it’s been a crazy ride for sure. In the back of my head, everyone’s dream is to go to the NFL, go do this, go do that, but you don’t really think about it as you’re going through it. Now that it’s here, I’m kind of just rolling with it. It hasn’t hit me yet but it is a cool experience, so I’m just trying to take it all in and enjoy it.
The Spun: Do you notice sometimes–whether it’s people joking about you going to the Patriots or stereotyping how you play–that you might be getting pigeonholed in as a white slot receiver or is that something you try to ignore?
LM: I think some people will say that, but I think I hopefully broke that narrative and the Pro Day. I thought I ran well and showed I can run routes inside and outside. It is what it is. People can say what they want. It doesn’t bother me.
The Spun: What was your goal going into the draft process in terms of showing scouts what you can do?
LM: First off, I just wanted to show them I was healthy. I feel like I was kind of banged up during this past year. The Senior Bowl was huge for me, to go out there and show I was healthy, compete against the highest level of talent and the best players in the country. Show I could compete against them, get open, win 1-on-1s, stuff like that. At the combine, with the meetings, I wanted to show teams I can understand football and come in and learn the offense quickly.
The Spun: How would you describe yourself as a wide receiver?
LM: I would say I’m versatile. I can play inside and outside. Run deep routes, underneath routes, jet sweeps, stuff like that. I feel like I’m a guy that can do a little bit of it all but still do it at a high level.
The Spun: Next season, the College Football Playoff is expanding to 12 teams. This year, the debate for the final spot came down to Alabama and Florida State. You guys lost to Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. Moving forward, you still would have made the expanded playoffs, but that game cost you a berth this season. After you lost, was the mood among the team that you still should have been considered for that fourth spot or was it more about feeling like you blew your chance?
LM: I feel like everyone was emotional and tore up from the loss, because if we win, we’re going in there as the No. 1 seed. We were in control. Once we lost, it wasn’t in our hands anymore. It’s whatever the committee decides. Of course we thought we were a top four team. We’d won 29 straight, back-to-back national champions. We thought they might give us a little credit for that, but it is what it is. I feel like if we got in, we would have given everybody a run for their money, but it is what it is. We lost the game so we can’t be too upset about it.
The Spun: If you didn’t get offered by Georgia, was there any other offer in particular you were hoping for?
LM: I was a Tennessee fan growing up, so I wanted that one, but it didn’t happen. It worked out though. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
The Spun: When it comes to other wide receivers, who are guys you admire or study?
LM: No one really specifically. I like to see what works for guys. So it’s not like I’m locked in on one specific guy, but if I see a release that someone does and I like it, I’ll use that. If I see something at the top of a route, I’ll try to add that to my game. A little bit of everybody. There’s a lot of good guys in the league to take a lot from.
The Spun: Last question: what are your plans for the draft?
LM: I’ll just stay at the house, have the fam over, hang out and see how it all unfolds.
You can read more of our interviews with athletes and media stars here.