Whether starring at North Murray High School or the University of Georgia, Ladd McConkey was repeatedly admired for not only his versatility on the football field but his service to the communities of Chatsworth and Athens.
This weekend at the National Football League combine in Indianapolis has been a very different experience for the 6-foot, 185-pounder.
McConkey isn't producing for his teammates or giving to others. He is having to sell himself.
"When it comes to competing, I'm going to outcompete you and I'm going to outwork you," McConkey said Friday during a 14-minute news conference before gathered media members from across the country. "I think I can run routes. I think I can play on the outside and inside and on special teams. I think I'm very versatile.
"Obviously this draft class has some great receivers, but when it comes to doing a little bit of everything, I think I can stand up there with all of them."
During Saturday afternoon's drills, McConkey ran a dazzling 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds to rank third among all receivers.
Self-promotion may seem way out of character for McConkey, but it's a requirement in shifting from the college landscape to the professional ranks. McConkey was the No. 166 receiver recruit in college football's 2020 signing class, according to the 247Sports.com composite rankings, but he is now longtime ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper's No. 5 receiver prospect.
Only Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., Washington's Rome Odunze, and the LSU tandem of Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. rank ahead of McConkey on Kiper's most recent receiver list that was updated just before the combine. NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah has pegged McConkey as the No. 42 draft prospect regardless of position.
"I feel like I'm a guy who can play a little bit of everywhere," McConkey said. "I think I had double the snaps outside than I did inside in college, but I feel comfortable at both positions, and I think I can win on the outside and the inside. I don't have a preference.
"Whatever a team needs me to do, I feel like I can do it. If you can play everything, I feel like it's hard to come off the field."
McConkey told reporters that between his time at last month's Senior Bowl and at the combine, he has visited with all 32 NFL teams.
As a North Murray senior in 2019, McConkey amassed 3,051 all-purpose yards as a quarterback, running back, receiver and return specialist. He also compiled four interceptions as a defensive back, returning three for touchdowns.
His first season at Georgia was spent on the scout team, but McConkey believes that year was as beneficial as any.
"That first year when I didn't play made me a better player for sure," he said. "I got so many good reps against so many good players. I just kept my head down, and when I finally got the opportunity, I think I made the most of it."
McConkey had 31 catches for 447 yards and five touchdowns as a redshirt freshman in 2021, earning Southeastern Conference all-freshman honors, and he erupted for 58 catches for 762 yards and seven scores in 2022. He was often at his best during Georgia's biggest games, collecting a touchdown in the 2021 SEC title game loss to Alabama and two scores in the 65-7 shellacking of TCU as the Bulldogs waltzed to a second consecutive national championship.
A back injury this past season forced him to sit out five of Georgia's 14 games, but McConkey still had a six-catch, 135-yard performance against Florida and a 27-yard rushing score in the obliteration of Florida State in the Orange Bowl.
McConkey's biggest accomplishment of his final year at Georgia was winning the Wuerffel Award, a national honor that goes to the player who best combines "exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement."
Georgia has set its pro day for March 13, and then the final countdown for McConkey to the April 25-27 draft in Detroit will begin. Celebrating the draft selections is nothing new in Athens, especially since the Kirby Smart era began, but it is certain to be a special moment for his alma mater in Chatsworth.
"We've had some guys play college ball, but I think I'll be the first one to take it to the next level," McConkey said. "I appreciate all the support from North Georgia. I feel their love every day.
"If you're a kid in North Georgia, just put your head down and grind. You never know what can happen."
The Wright stuff
Jaylen Wright, who rushed for 1,013 yards while averaging 7.39 per carry as a Tennessee junior before electing to forgo his senior season, had a stellar showing Saturday at the combine as well.
Wright ran the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds, which ranked second among the running backs and was the fastest 40 ever turned in by a Volunteers running back at the combine.
The 5-11, 210-pounder from Durham, North Carolina, also had a broad jump of 11 feet, 2 inches, which is the second-best distance by a running back in combine history.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com.