Georgia Football: Ladd McConkey makes NFL coaches drool in excitement

Georgia football has a special athlete in redshirt freshman Ladd McConkey as he continues to make plays for the Dawgs.

The youngster led the Dawgs in receptions on Saturday night with five catches for 135 yards and one touchdown.

On Saturday, McConkey caught a 60-yard touchdown pass against Auburn that gave the Dawgs a 24-3 lead in the third quarter and delivered another blow to the Tigers. This touchdown pass put another nail in the coffin and took the crowd right out of it.

He may be 6-0 185 pounds soaking wet with his uniform on, but the guy can flat out ball on a football field.

McConkey created separation from the Auburn defensive back, and Bennett connected with a perfect pass. That catch was one of the many he made for the Dawgs against Auburn. It was like no matter who the Tigers put on him — they couldn’t cover him.

Maybe it was because Smoke Monday got ejected for targeting, but regardless, none of the Auburn defensive backs could do much with him.

Todd Monken made the perfect call for the moment, and the Dawgs delivered on another explosive play. Regardless of age, McConkey is a baller who isn’t afraid to be the center of attention.

On the season, McConkey has 16 catches for 280 yards and two touchdowns. He averages 17.50 yards a catch and 46.67 a game. The only guy in front of him is fellow freshman Brock Bowers.

Against the Tigers, his first catch was a six-yard pass short of a first down, but it was on for Bennett and him after that.

McConkey’s second catch was for 13 yards late in the first quarter on 2nd and 10, giving the Dawgs a first down.  His third catch was a 45 yarder on first down that eventually led to a Dawgs touchdown.

His fourth catch was the 60-yard touchdown pass, and the final catch was an 11-yard pass late in the third quarter that would set up for a Dawgs field goal.

After Saturday’s performance, McConkey should have his name on every NFL team board who needs a strong slot receiver. He can do short routes, extended routes, and anything in between. McConkey is speedy too, but his ability to create separation this young is what makes him unique.

This performance would make the living legend himself, Bill Belichick, drool because that is what he loves. Belichick loves a good slot receiver that is scrappy and can make big plays — look at Julian Edelman.

McConkey is another Jules in the making, even though Eledman was a quarterback out of college. They’re both strong, tough and don’t back away when things get hard.

Even though so many people didn’t want to give McConkey a chance or put him on scholarship, he has proven why the Dawgs took a chance on him.

In Kirby’s postgame press conference, he gave high praise to the redshirt freshman, and it was well-deserving.

The heart of a warrior is something a coach wants in all of his players, and right now, Georgia has a team full of warriors. McConkey is just one of them.

On a team riddled with injuries, the Dawgs are leaning heavily on two freshmen, but in an environment like Jordan-Hare Stadium, to have them shine says a lot about this team’s mentality and character.

McConkey went into one of the most challenging environments in college football and hung 135 receiving yards on that defense. He is exceptional, and the Dawgs have three more years with him. Just think how good he will be by then — can you say hello, NFL?