North Murray grad McConkey one of two Georgia Bulldogs to earn Jack Turner Award

Published 9:00 am Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Former Chatsworth resident and North Murray High School graduate Ladd McConkey was recently honored by the National Football Foundation’s University of Georgia Chapter as one of two winners of the school’s Jack Turner Award.

McConkey, alongside former Georgia teammate Sedrick Van Pran, were recipients of the annual award, which was presented during a recent ceremony at Athens Country Club.

“The Jack Turner Award is for the outstanding senior football player at the University of Georgia whose focus and energy goes beyond the playing of his chosen sport,” according to a press release. “The winner is a Bulldog starting letterman who is defined by his exceptional accomplishments and varied interests — a well-rounded Georgia man.”

The ceremony saw several awards and honors given out to other Georgia players throughout the night, and ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe was the evening’s keynote speaker.

McConkey was presented the award on April 22, just days before being drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

McConkey was an all-around standout for the North Murray High School football team. He amassed 3,051 all-purpose yards as a senior playing quarterback, running back, wide receiver and return specialist. He threw for 20 touchdown passes and ran for ten more that same season. Despite being just a three-star prospect, the University of Georgia offered him a scholarship and soon after he became a Bulldog.

At Georgia, he played wide receiver and helped lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back National Championships. He finished his career with 119 receptions for 1,687 yards and 14 touchdown receptions. He also added four touchdowns on the ground including an exciting 27-yard score in his final collegiate game of his career against Florida State in the Orange Bowl.

Off the field, McConkey was being honored as well. He was named a 2023 NFF National-Scholar Athlete and was one of 16 finalists for the prestigious Campbell Award for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. He was also the recipient of the Wuerffel Award, which honors college football’s most impactful community service leaders.

Submitted by the National Football Foundation’s University of Georgia Chapter