Let’s talk about Ladd McConkey.

I mean no disrespect to the guy when I say he was not good during the middle part of the season. There were games in there, performances where I thought perhaps Georgia coach Kirby Smart would remove the sophomore wide receiver from the passing game rotation.
Do you remember?
Dropped passes against Kent State and Missouri. Fumbles. Missed routes. The Bulldogs were depth-depleted at the position, prompting his elevation McConkey to the No. 1 slot and he had looked like he was not up to the task … overrated and unprepared.
Remember: Georgia has been without its best receiver, Adonai Mitchell, for almost 2 full months. The Dawgs have looked to various sources to replace him. No one has had much success filling his role.
Until McConkey. Now that he is emerging from his period of struggles, he finally looks like a top-tier wide receiver.
It’s by necessity. Georgia would prefer to have Mitchell, Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington and a host of running backs taking most throws from quarterback Stetson Bennett. Sure, McConkey had been an effective option a year ago but he he wasn’t leaving opposing coaches speechless as they prepared to face Georgia.
And maybe he isn’t doing that now. But he’s an elite pass catcher.
McConkey was at his best in Saturday’s 45-19 road win against Mississippi State, a victory that clinched the SEC East and set up a conference championship matchup against LSU. He was a reliable receiver.
He caught 5 passes for 71 yards. And he hauled in a touchdown pass from Bennett late in the game to cement the Dawgs’ advantage.
Coming out of halftime, after Georgia had just allowed a 63-yard punt return for at touchdown going into the break, McConkey took a handoff on a jet sweep and ran 70 yards for the score that gave Georgia a 24-12 advantage.
Here’s the deal:
McConkey is very talented. And he’s beginning to show why he’s might actually be one of the nation’s most underrated players at his position. He’s been far from perfect this season, but all he has to do is be close to perfect from this point on.
If he is, Georgia’s offense looks as potent as any in the country. Ohio State and Tennessee have the benefit of elite quarterbacks and skill players. Georgia has managed to put together a top-10 offense while lacking any player who might be considered among the national elite.
But McConkey has a chance.
All coaches and players are eager for Mitchell to return. Maybe that will stretch out the offense, maybe it won’t. These are not absolutes. But down the stretch, the redshirt sophomore the Chatsworth, Ga., is establishing himself among the conference’s best. He may have more to go but there’s no doubt Bennett feels comfortable throwing in his direction.
This season, McConkey has caught 43 passes for 578 yards and 4 touchdown receptions. He just added the 70-yard touchdown run, his first score on the ground this season. His 2 touchdowns against Mississippi State, 1 receiving and 1 rushing, once again put him in the limelight for Georgia.
I thought McConkey might have been benched temporarily 3 weeks ago. It appeared as if his lack of production might drag down Georgia’s hopes for season.
The Dawgs have struggled on offense – not statistically, but overall. They have needed a reliable receiver with whom Bennett, with his limitations, could connect.
Bowers is among the best tight ends in the country. Washington is projecting as a high-round selection in the next NFL draft. McConkey isn’t Mitchell but he has developed into a vastly more capable receiver.
McConkey is back and Georgia is taking advantage.