Georgia pass catchers receiving national praise in preseason
Georgia Football over its history might not be known for its wide receivers, but this year’s Bulldogs are doing their best to change that. A pair of the pass catchers – Ladd McConkey and Dominic Lovett – are already receiving national attention.
We’ll start with the returnee, McConkey, who made the decision to stay in school for at least another year and forego the NFL Draft. However, evaluators have their eyes on him for next spring’s selection process.
After Reese’s Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy highlighted the tape study done on McConkey during Senior Bowl Scout School earlier this month, ESPN’s Matt Miller named McConkey a sleeper for the 2024 NFL Draft just this week.
“It’s hard to be under the radar as a wide receiver at Georgia, but McConkey is not getting much preseason attention with an offensive personnel shift coming in Athens. That should change once the games begin, though,” Miller wrote. “The 6-foot, 185-pound fourth-year junior produced in a run-first Bulldogs offense in 2022 (58 catches, 762 yards, 7 touchdowns) and has shown elite hands and route-running ability. With more opportunities in 2023, those numbers should explode. I have him in the Round 3 range right now, but things could change quickly if he sees more targets this year.”
Miller spoke with a couple of scouts that are responsible for the SEC. Having seen McConkey go for 762 receiving yards and seven scores on 58 catches last season, they too are impressed.
“He’s a top-50 player on my early list,” one NFC scout told Miller. “He’s tough as hell, super quick out of his breaks, and he doesn’t drop passes — ever.”
“Even if they don’t throw the ball a ton, that’s a pro-style offense, and he’s asked to do NFL-style things right now. He’ll hit the ground running,” another NFC scout added.
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As for Lovett, the Missouri transfer was included on On3’s Preseason All-Transfer Portal Team. Lovett led the Tigers in receiving last year with 56 catches for 846 yards. He found the end zone three times and is expected to add to Georgia’s passing attack this season.
“Lovett was an All-SEC performer in 2022 at Missouri, leading the Tigers in receptions (56) and yards (848),” On3’s Jesse Simonton wrote. “The playmaker figures to be an impact performer in the slot for the Bulldogs this fall, who have been very selective in the portal under Kirby Smart.”
Lovett arrived in Athens this spring and worked alongside McConkey. Georgia fans got a taste of what it might look like this fall when the two of them were on the field together during the G-Day spring game. However, those aren’t the only two options for new quarterback Carson Beck and the Bulldog offensive attack.
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint returns as a starter at receiver after he finished top five on the team in receiving yards last season. Arian Smith, who had a couple of key catches last season, is also back, as is Dillon Bell, a sophomore expected to take a step forward this season. Of course there’s also tight end Brock Bowers who’s led the team in receiving each of the last two years and is coming off of winning the Mackey Award for the best player at his position.
