Ladd McConkey

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

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

College career
McConkey redshirted and was initially a member of Georgia's scout team. In McConkey's redshirt freshman year, he caught five touchdowns with 28 receptions for 430 yards. 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 received 135 yards and scored one touchdown. McConkey played in all of Georgia's games making seven starts.

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

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

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

Professional career
McConkey was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers 34th overall with the pick acquired from a trade with New England Patriots. 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.

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