McConkey shines at the combine: North Murray grad measures up against fellow NFL Draft prospects

Published 3:32 pm Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Now that the ramp up to April’s NFL Draft is in full-swing, the dream of reaching the NFL is finally starting to feel a little more tangible for Chatsworth native and North Murray High School graduate Ladd McConkey.

“It’s truly a blessing,” the former Georgia Bulldog wide receiver said to reporters before competing Saturday in the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. “It kind of hits you. It feels like it’s forever away when you’re little, but now it’s right here in front of me. I’m just trying to do everything I can to make the most of it.”

Part of “making the most of it” for an NFL prospect like McConkey, who is currently projected to be a second-round draft pick by ESPN, is showing out at the combine, when athletic prowess is tested and measured in front of scouts and decision makers from all 32 teams.

McConkey acquitted himself well on the big stage in Indianapolis Saturday.

The former Mountaineer showed the speed that made him a nightmare for the opposition for North Murray opponents, registering a time of 4.39 seconds in the 40-yard dash, which tied him for sixth-fastest among 30 competing receivers. Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy ran his 40-yard dash in a combine record-setting 4.21 seconds. No other receiver was faster than 4.33, and McConkey tied at 4.39 with Michigan wideout Roman Wilson, Oregon State’s Anthony Gould and South Carolina’s Xavier Legette.

McConkey also finished tied for fourth among wide receivers in 10-yard split with a time of 1.52 seconds. McConkey recorded a vertical jump of 36 inches, a broad jump of 10 feet and four inches and 13 repetitions in a bench press of 225 pounds.

McConkey also took part in some ball-skill drills, showcasing his route-running and catching ability.

“He has the footwork and body control to snap off crisp breaks and open windows for his quarterback,” NFL Network analyst Lance Zierlein wrote of McConkey after the combine. “He can manipulate coverage with an advanced feel for leverage and has enough top-end speed to get past cornerbacks who are non-believers.”

McConkey’s combine performance also drew him some attention on social media, including from NFL and college football commentator Kirk Herbstreit, who compared him favorably to Puka Nacua, a fifth-round draft pick last year of the Los Angeles Rams who set new rookie records last year for catches (105) and receiving yards (1,486).

“Ladd McConkey will be this year’s Puka!” Herbstreit wrote on social media during McConkey’s on-field drills on Saturday.

NFL prospects also meet with teams and with the media during combine week.

When asked by reporters, McConkey said his versatility as a receiver is one attribute that sets him apart from some of the other receivers in his draft class. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has McConkey listed as the fifth-best wide receiver prospect ahead of the 2024 draft.

“I feel like I’m a guy that can play a little bit of everywhere,” McConkey said, noting he’d played probably twice as many snaps from the outside in college as he had from an inside position. “I feel comfortable in both positions and feel like I could win from both the inside and outside.”

Another thing, which McConkey credited as being instilled in him during his days growing up in Murray County: His work ethic.

“I’m going to out-compete you, I’m going to out-work you,” McConkey said. “I think I’m very versatile and can do a little bit of everything.”