Funny how a little drive and determination can change a narrative.
Actually, a lot of drive and determination.
Georgia redshirt junior receiver Ladd McConkey has spent most of his college career defying the odds as an unheralded three-star prospect out of North Murray High School. Now the 6-foot, 185-pounder is a Southeastern Conference preseason first-team selection who is appearing on 2024 National Football League draft projections.
“Everybody since they were little dreams of playing in the league,” McConkey said in a recent news conference, “but I can’t do that unless I take care of my business here.”
McConkey has been taking care of business ever since he became an 11th-hour afterthought in Georgia’s 2020 signing class that was headed by cornerback Kelee Ringo, defensive tackle Jalen Carter, offensive tackle Broderick Jones and tight end Darnell Washington. He spent the 2020 season redshirting and putting on weight — “I was maybe a buck 65 soaking wet,” McConkey said of his time at North Murray — but started the 2021 season opener against Clemson in Charlotte, North Carolina, and hasn’t looked back.