Ladd McConkey making sure he's ready for bigger role in 2022
As a redshirt sophomore out of Chatsworth (Ga.), Ladd McConkey has quickly earned an important role in the Georgia receiving room. In 2021, McConkey played in all 15 games, pulling in 31 receptions for 447 yards and five touchdowns.
Earlier this week, we caught up with the receiver in order to find out when he first felt like he had found his groove as a valuable receiver for the Bulldogs.
“I really think that kind of came in practice and kinda just translated over to the game,” McConkey said on Wednesday. “Playing against that defense last year that we had, and even this year, I’m going up against the No. 1 team in the nation everyday. Being able to play against those guys just gives me the confidence to go out and do it against everybody else. So really, just every day in practice going against them, I think that translates over to the game.”
This offseason, the Bulldogs lost George Pickens and Jermaine Burton, both of whom had an important role in the Georgia passing game over the last two seasons. With this void to fill in the offense, McConkey seems confident that he can be the one to step up.
“I’m kind of trying to step into a bigger role this year, just doing what the coaches ask me to do. Don’t do anything I’m not comfortable with. Just play my game and the rest will take care of itself,” he said. “When you’re a year older in the program, obviously there’s expectations to kind of be a leader, obviously you want to be on the field and make more plays, but not necessarily go out and catch more balls or have more yards, but really just be someone that the younger guys can lean on and kind of look up to and ask for advice.”
The 2021 season was very impressive for McConkey, but currently, he is more focused on using it as a stepping stool to propel him into this upcoming season.
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“There’s definitely a bigger level of comfort,” McConkey explained. “I mean, having some games under your belt, being able to play in some big games always helps. Yeah, like I said, just experience and just being out there and kinda getting a feel for everything definitely helps going into this year.
He won’t be the only receiver that is asked to step up for the Bulldogs this fall, but fortunately, McConkey seems confident that his teammates compliment each other well.
“I think we have a lot of guys that can make explosive plays,” McConkey said. “We’re big. We’re small. We’re fast. It’s a wide variety, and I think all of us have our own skill sets that we can bring to the table. Each one of us has different attributes that we bring to the table. That is kind of our biggest strength, we all know how to use what we are good at.”
McConkey and the Bulldogs are set to take on the No. 11 Oregon Ducks tomorrow afternoon at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
