Georgia's Kirby Smart sings high praise for WR Ladd McConkey as his draft stock rises
Ex-Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey's draft stock continues to rise. After putting on an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, McKonkey turned heads again at Georgia's Pro Day. What caught spectators' eyes were his outstanding 4.04 short shuttle and 6.72 three-cone times (via ESPN's Jordan Reid) that showed off his quickness and […]
Ex-Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey's draft stock continues to rise.
After putting on an impressive performance at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine, McKonkey turned heads again at Georgia's Pro Day.
What caught spectators' eyes were his outstanding 4.04 short shuttle and 6.72 three-cone times (via ESPN's Jordan Reid) that showed off his quickness and changing direction skills.
Georgia's head coach Kirby Smart was asked by reporters what it's been like to have watched McConkey's draft stock soar over the last few months.
"It started from the time that we offered him to now," Smart said. "He's ascended and aspired to be great. Nobody dislikes Ladd McConkey. [I] think nobody on our team would say there's a better teammate than that. I don't think he's ever said a negative word about anybody. He's just such a good kid. Such a hard person to find. He's a great football player on top of that."
Aside from McConkey's infectious personality and great leadership, Smart said what separates McConkey from other receivers is his proven ability to separate and help move the chains.
"In and out of breaks," Smart said. "His ability to separate is probably one of those key things and in the NFL there's less touching. You're able to run routes and that's going to be advantageous for him because he can come in and out of breaks. They'll watch him on third down. He's pretty elite on third down and getting open and that keeps the chains moving."
McConkey is currently slated to be an early Round 2 draft pick.
One of the big rumblings at UGA's Pro Day was that the Pittsburgh Steelers have a lot of interest in McConkey.
Pittsburgh picks at No. 51 in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Kirby Smart addresses Brock Bowers, Amarius Mims missing Georgia Pro Day
Both prospects sat out with hamstring injuries.
