Timeline on Ladd McConkey's decision on college future, NFL Draft

Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey didn’t quite have the season he would have hoped for in 2023, besieged by injuries, but he’s still a quality potential NFL Draft prospect.

Whether McConkey actually enters the draft following this season is a bit of a question mark, though.

“That’s a good question because I thought foregone conclusion at the end of the season, absolutely,” said DawgsHQ’s Jake Rowe, discussing the topic on the Andy Staples On3 show. “Like absolutely I thought that that was it. Then you start hearing, ‘Well it’s not a done deal.’

“While I probably would lean a little bit more towards him leaving right now, he hasn’t informed the staff of a final decision. Brock Bowers has, and I think we all probably know what that decision is. But Ladd McConkey has not, so I think that one’s a little bit up in the air.”

McConkey has been a really solid contributor for Georgia when healthy. He was a major factor in both of the team’s national titles in the past two years, offering a steady target outside.

The talented wideout racked up 447 yards and five touchdowns in the first title run, then amassed 762 yards and seven touchdowns in the second.

But his 2023 season brought on a lot of question marks when it comes to a potential NFL Draft jump.

“I will tell you this, and I’ve told our board this and I’ve reported it on our site for a couple weeks now, so I don’t have to continue putting that behind a paywall…” Rowe said. “I spoke to an NFL scout over a week ago who told me that he just had the type of season as a 5-11, 190-pound receiver that confirms every fear that an NFL team is going to have about him. His past 15 games it’s been knee, it’s been back, it’s been ankle.”

Ladd McConkey was sidelined first by a back injury that kept him out of a handful of games at the beginning of the season. After he got healthy and returned to the lineup, McConkey then had an ankle injury.

He’s been banged up, contributing 456 yards and two touchdowns, a step down in production.

Still, his NFL Draft decision will be a big deal for Georgia. He’s a terrific college receiver when healthy.

“I think the world of him. I think he’s a phenomenal player, but I do think he has a lot to gain by coming back if he can stay healthy, which is a gamble in and of itself, which is something he’s going to have to consider,” Rowe said. “But I know Georgia would welcome him back with open arms.”