Ex-Georgia Bulldogs star Ladd McConkey receives much-deserved recognition from Pro Football Focus

Former Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey is getting the recognition he deserves after Pro Football Focus dropped its list of the "Top 25 Players Under 25."

The current Los Angeles Chargers and former Georgia Bulldogs wideout, who is coming off an exceptional Year 1 in the NFL, landed on PFF's list at No. 19. 

19. WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

The gap between McConkey and fellow 2024 rookie Brian Thomas Jr. is razor thin, but McConkey ultimately gets the edge after ranking second among all rookie receivers in PFF receiving grade (85.0), PFF overall grade (84.3) and PFF WAR (0.47) — all just ahead of Thomas.

McConkey even led all rookies in yards per route run (2.59) and ranked in the top five among all players at the position in 2024.

The Chargers selected McConkey with the 34th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact in his rookie season in LA, recording 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns.

His standout performance included breaking the Chargers' rookie franchise record for most receptions and receiving yards in a single season, surpassing Keenan Allen's previous record. In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, McConkey also set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in a single postseason game, with nine receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown. 

Unlike many young receivers, McConkey didn't take long to adjust to the NFL and credited Georgia coach Kirby Smart for that. 

"It's definitely been a transition," McConkey said in Week 8 of the 2024 NFL regular season. "You know, I wouldn't say effortless but I feel like coach Smart and everybody at Georgia kind of prepared me for this. We practice hard at Georgia. We take game reps at practice so now it just transitioned over here and continuing that, but taking it to another level. That's kind of what it is. There's good days, there's bad days that ya'll don't see. So yeah, just stacking days and then coming out and put it on the table on Sundays."

McConkey joins Los Angeles Rams' Puka Nacua, Atlanta Falcons ' Drake London, New York Giants' Malik Nabers, and Jacksonville Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. as the only other receivers on PFF's list of 25 under 25.