Ladd McConkey explains jersey number choice with Chargers

Ladd McConkey will wear No. 15 for the Los Angeles Chargers, and it’s different from what he wore during his time at Georgia. When speaking to reporters earlier this month, McConkey explained why he chose No. 15 instead of No. 84, the number he wore for the Bulldogs.

“(Growing up) that was my number,” McConkey said. “Every time when I was little, high school middle school, and then went to Georgia got 84. Told Coach [Jim] Harbaugh ’84 wasn’t my choice at Georgia,’ but I feel like I made that number at Georgia. Wanted to go back to 15.”

The expectations are high for McConkey who is coming off a successful run with the Bulldogs. He helped the team win back-to-back national titles in 2021 and 2022, and the Chargers are hoping he can bring that championship pedigree to a team that has not played in a Super Bowl since the 1994 season.

After the Chargers drafted McConkey in the second round of this year’s draft, Harbaugh explained why they selected the rookie wide receiver.

“Love the speed, 4.38 [40-yard dash], but he plays to it,” Harbaugh said, per the Chargers’ official website. “He plays to that 4.38 every single play, you can see it in the way that he rages off of the ball, and once he has the ball in his hands.

“Me and Joe [Hortiz] were talking about him, he’s very [Raiders TE] Brock Bowers-like with the way that he gets yards after the catch,” Harbaugh added. “Competitor, big-time. Those things. He catches the ball. A terrific route-runner. He has the quickness, he has the speed that is going to be great for our offense. I love the guys that can run in the 4.3s.”

Ladd McConkey feels ‘100 percent’ heading into 2024 season

The one concern about McConkey is his health as he missed a handful of games with a back injury in 2023. McConkey told reporters after the draft that he feels “100 percent,” and the Chargers don’t seem concerned after talking to doctors about him.

“I know this, our doctors feel great about him,” Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said. “He’s been pretty durable there. Certainly, he’s had some bumps in the road, but he responded and played late this year.

“That says something about his commitment to compete and to the team,” Hortiz added. “You see a guy that was most likely coming out [to be drafted] and he’s playing in a Bowl game this year. That’s impressive to me.”