Georgia football: 3 proven players who outplayed their recruiting ranking

Former 3-star Ladd McConkey

Georgia football wideout Ladd McConkey is the next name on this list, and while some may say he could be included in the group of players that people know weren’t highly recruited out of high school.

Yes, he can, but at the same time, Georgia took a chance on this guy when not many others would, and that reason alone is why he makes this list. Plus, as a redshirt freshman, to be able to step up and be the third-best receiver the Dawgs had this past season is pretty impressive.

Starting quarterback and fellow underdog Stetson Bennett has a tight bond with him, and McConkey was a favorite target of the Mailman. It was understandable because, for a while, McConkey proved if he got his number called, something good would happen.

Teams eventually wised up down the season’s stretch, but he has a lot of football left to play to learn how to adjust when defensive backs cover you well.

McConkey finished with 31 catches for 447 yards and five touchdowns this past season. He averaged 14.42 yards a catch and showed how much an asset he can be. The Dawgs will use him next season in a potentially bigger role because he stepped up in times of need when other wideouts were hurt.

Georgia took a risk with the 3-star in high school, and it already paid off because McConkey is far better than his rankings suggest.

The Dawgs could have said no. He isn’t quite up to our level of play, but instead, they brought him in, and with a bit of development, look at him now. McConkey will be fun to watch next year with the experience under his belt.