Ladd McConkey would have been a Vol…..

#26
#26
Chickenfarmer said:
McConkey grew in the Tennessee/ Georgia border county of Murray in NW Georgia. His dad was a standout QB for Dalton Catamounts in the early 90s. The McConkey family bleeds or used to bleed Big Orange. As a skinny, undersized wide receiver at North Murray High School in Chatsworth, GA, McConkey was not recruited by any D1 schools. His dream was to play in Neyland Stadium one day. No offers came from Knoxville.

About two weeks before National Signing Day, Kirby Smart became interested in this relatively unknown receiver. McConkey thought he was being pranked when he heard Georgia was interested. Maybe Coach Pruitt will answer with a call. Nothing from Knoxville. Kirby shows up at one of Ladd’s high school basketball games and makes the offer to come to UGA.

Being a Volunteer family, McConkey makes an unofficial visit to the University of Tennessee to see if CJP might be interested before accepting the Georgia offer. The best they can do is allow him to become a walk-on. McConkey goes on to sign with Georgia and contributes to our butt whooping in Athens this year along with another Natty Title. It’s not always about the 4 or 5 Stars ratings. Kirby recognized pure talent and work ethic. Pruitt and company missed out on a winner.

Can you imagine if we would have had McConkey lined up with Hyatt, Bru, Keyton and Tillman the past two seasons? Hooker would have been even more amazing with the additional talent he would have provided. Can you imagine if McConkey would have not been in a red jersey on November 5th? Ifs and Buts.

The moral of the story is Kirby Smart knew what he needed and Stars didn’t enter into the equation. CJH has put together recruits for what he needs to make this team better. We have some Stars and we have role players that will produce where needed most. CJH will prove himself during the next two seasons. Higher rated players will continue to sign with us. Yes, Stars do matter. Just look at Alabama and Georgia caliber of athletes across the field and on the bench. But, the most important factor is a coaching staff that can assess talent and develop it into Winners. Go Big Orange!
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He wouldn’t have seen the field this year
 
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#27
#27
rocky top buzz said:
I mean, how many players have come to UT who grew up bleeding red and black but were ignored by uga? Eric Berry is probably the first to come to mind. Granted, I don't know if uga highly pusued him or not, or if he was a uga fan. But of all the kids we have pulled from Georgia over the years I have to imagine a bunch wanted to go to uga but were ignored.

Jeremy Pruitt was a terrible coach by most metrics, but he made one statement that is 100% true and still sticks with me to this day. When asked about missing out on recruits who went elsewhere he said something to the effect "Lets worry about the ones we do get, and not worry about the ones we don't get. "
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Berry was a Volunteer legacy. His father, James Berry was a Tennessee running back 78-81 time period. He was all Vol from the beginning. How many Pruitt signees remain on the team?
 
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#28
#28
I mean, we had the 2nd best WR corps in the country, behind only OSU, so I’m not really losing sleep over it. In fact, if you looked at what our best position was over the last 15 years of sucking, it’s probably WR. UT has always had good WR, and always will. If he was a QB or CB, then sure.
 
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#29
#29
rocky top buzz said:
I mean, how many players have come to UT who grew up bleeding red and black but were ignored by uga? Eric Berry is probably the first to come to mind. Granted, I don't know if uga highly pusued him or not, or if he was a uga fan. But of all the kids we have pulled from Georgia over the years I have to imagine a bunch wanted to go to uga but were ignored.

Jeremy Pruitt was a terrible coach by most metrics, but he made one statement that is 100% true and still sticks with me to this day. When asked about missing out on recruits who went elsewhere he said something to the effect "Lets worry about the ones we do get, and not worry about the ones we don't get. "
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Berry was a Volunteer legacy. His father, James Berry was a Tennessee running back 78-81 time period. He was all Vol from the beginning. How many Pruitt signees remain on the team?
 
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#30
#30
Picking the lower rated recruits that are gonna make it after they’ve played a few seasons in college is much easier than picking them as HS seniors.
 
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#31
#31
supersmo18 said:
As someone who works in Dalton, GA and is very familiar with the McConkey family, Pruitt did offer, but there was a staunch disagreement between Pruitt and Chaney, in that Chaney wanted Ladd to play DB (he's also a very talented DB) but Pruitt wanted him at WR, where Chaney didn't. They made a preferred walk-on offer, and then Kirby came up to watch him play Basketball and also then made him a committable offer to UGA.

Yes, Ladd is all Dawg now and bleeds red and black, but he's still got a soft spot for UT, as does his family. It's nothing personal at all. But had we offered him with a committable scholly, he would've been in big orange. He's a great kid and I loved watching him play in high school.
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Players that grow up bleeding orange should have the opportunity (If talented) to play for Tennessee. They will naturally play harder for the Vols, and be Leaders too. Seriously; what are some of these Coaches thinking with?
 
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#33
#33
Carp said:
Not really losing any sleep over Ladd McConkey. Glad he's finding success in UGA's offense. I don't think he's better than the majority of the WRs that have been on this team over the past 3 years. At best, he would have been WR No. 5 on this year's squad. Probably more like 6 or 7.
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I find that funny in a lot of ways, everyone says that but who have we had that’s better or ranked higher than the Georgia receivers that he beat out at this point? His work ethic they say is incredible and his route running has been the best since his freshman year is what the stories are. I wish he would have become a vol but he didn’t but still hope he continues to do well and prove a lot of doubters wrong.
 
#36
#36
JohnWardForever said:
Players that grow up bleeding orange should have the opportunity (If talented) to play for Tennessee. They will naturally play harder for the Vols, and be Leaders too. Seriously; what are some of these Coaches thinking with?
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This was more of an exception than a rule with this kid. Also we’re not hurting at wr exactly.
 
#38
#38
Jdw2920 said:
I find that funny in a lot of ways, everyone says that but who have we had that’s better or ranked higher than the Georgia receivers that he beat out at this point? His work ethic they say is incredible and his route running has been the best since his freshman year is what the stories are. I wish he would have become a vol but he didn’t but still hope he continues to do well and prove a lot of doubters wrong.
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He wasn't beating out Hyatt or Tillman obviously. Not Bru either. So he would have had to beat out Keyton and Squirrel. I think both guys are better than McConkey.

Maybe Bennett and McConkey just have a ton of chemistry. That doesn't mean he would have the same chemistry with QBs here.

I stand by what I said. He would be, at best the 5th WR on this team.
 
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#40
#40
Heck, if JG would have had a couple more years he might have beat out Hooker and Big Joe. He looked really good in practice. Just sayin’. No one knows where anyone would be. It’s all hypothetical situations. Good players are going to be good regardless. Bad situations do hold others back. Alvin Kamara would have been a Heisman candidate at OSU.

McConkey does have that uncanny ability to get open much like Hyatt. It’s not all scheme, it is called speed and running great routes. Look at Squirrel being wide open as soon as he became WR1 in place of Hyatt in the Orange Bowl. DBs must respect speed. Throw in a wiggle and a move inside then back out, DB gets his feet tangled and loses two steps; play is over if QB can lay it out there to run under. Hope we have another burner across the field from Squirrel. Safety cannot cover both sidelines at the same time. It’s hard to blitz when you need extra help in coverage.
 
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#41
#41
rocky top buzz said:
I mean, how many players have come to UT who grew up bleeding red and black but were ignored by uga? Eric Berry is probably the first to come to mind. Granted, I don't know if uga highly pusued him or not, or if he was a uga fan. But of all the kids we have pulled from Georgia over the years I have to imagine a bunch wanted to go to uga but were ignored.

Jeremy Pruitt was a terrible coach by most metrics, but he made one statement that is 100% true and still sticks with me to this day. When asked about missing out on recruits who went elsewhere he said something to the effect "Lets worry about the ones we do get, and not worry about the ones we don't get. "
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Eric Berry's dad played here
 
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#42
#42
supersmo18 said:
As someone who works in Dalton, GA and is very familiar with the McConkey family, Pruitt did offer, but there was a staunch disagreement between Pruitt and Chaney, in that Chaney wanted Ladd to play DB (he's also a very talented DB) but Pruitt wanted him at WR, where Chaney didn't. They made a preferred walk-on offer, and then Kirby came up to watch him play Basketball and also then made him a committable offer to UGA.

Yes, Ladd is all Dawg now and bleeds red and black, but he's still got a soft spot for UT, as does his family. It's nothing personal at all. But had we offered him with a committable scholly, he would've been in big orange. He's a great kid and I loved watching him play in high school.
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I think during the NC game the announcers mentioned that Kirby was on a recruiting trip to Georgia when he was being recruited and his dad was also there the same weekend and Kirby remembered his last name. Maybe they hung out during the trip or something. I don’t know I could be wrong.
 
#43
#43
Chickenfarmer said:
McConkey grew in the Tennessee/ Georgia border county of Murray in NW Georgia. His dad was a standout QB for Dalton Catamounts in the early 90s. The McConkey family bleeds or used to bleed Big Orange. As a skinny, undersized wide receiver at North Murray High School in Chatsworth, GA, McConkey was not recruited by any D1 schools. His dream was to play in Neyland Stadium one day. No offers came from Knoxville.

About two weeks before National Signing Day, Kirby Smart became interested in this relatively unknown receiver. McConkey thought he was being pranked when he heard Georgia was interested. Maybe Coach Pruitt will answer with a call. Nothing from Knoxville. Kirby shows up at one of Ladd’s high school basketball games and makes the offer to come to UGA.

Being a Volunteer family, McConkey makes an unofficial visit to the University of Tennessee to see if CJP might be interested before accepting the Georgia offer. The best they can do is allow him to become a walk-on. McConkey goes on to sign with Georgia and contributes to our butt whooping in Athens this year along with another Natty Title. It’s not always about the 4 or 5 Stars ratings. Kirby recognized pure talent and work ethic. Pruitt and company missed out on a winner.

Can you imagine if we would have had McConkey lined up with Hyatt, Bru, Keyton and Tillman the past two seasons? Hooker would have been even more amazing with the additional talent he would have provided. Can you imagine if McConkey would have not been in a red jersey on November 5th? Ifs and Buts.

The moral of the story is Kirby Smart knew what he needed and Stars didn’t enter into the equation. CJH has put together recruits for what he needs to make this team better. We have some Stars and we have role players that will produce where needed most. CJH will prove himself during the next two seasons. Higher rated players will continue to sign with us. Yes, Stars do matter. Just look at Alabama and Georgia caliber of athletes across the field and on the bench. But, the most important factor is a coaching staff that can assess talent and develop it into Winners. Go Big Orange!
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No. He would not have been able to see the field in Knoxville. And honestly if UGA could recruit WRs he wouldn’t see the field in Athens either.
 
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#45
#45
Chickenfarmer said:
Heck, if JG would have had a couple more years he might have beat out Hooker and Big Joe. He looked really good in practice. Just sayin’. No one knows where anyone would be. It’s all hypothetical situations. Good players are going to be good regardless. Bad situations do hold others back. Alvin Kamara would have been a Heisman candidate at OSU.

McConkey does have that uncanny ability to get open much like Hyatt. It’s not all scheme, it is called speed and running great routes. Look at Squirrel being wide open as soon as he became WR1 in place of Hyatt in the Orange Bowl. DBs must respect speed. Throw in a wiggle and a move inside then back out, DB gets his feet tangled and loses two steps; play is over if QB can lay it out there to run under. Hope we have another burner across the field from Squirrel. Safety cannot cover both sidelines at the same time. It’s hard to blitz when you need extra help in coverage.
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Are you a Georgia fan?
 
#46
#46
Chickenfarmer said:
McConkey grew in the Tennessee/ Georgia border county of Murray in NW Georgia. His dad was a standout QB for Dalton Catamounts in the early 90s. The McConkey family bleeds or used to bleed Big Orange. As a skinny, undersized wide receiver at North Murray High School in Chatsworth, GA, McConkey was not recruited by any D1 schools. His dream was to play in Neyland Stadium one day. No offers came from Knoxville.

About two weeks before National Signing Day, Kirby Smart became interested in this relatively unknown receiver. McConkey thought he was being pranked when he heard Georgia was interested. Maybe Coach Pruitt will answer with a call. Nothing from Knoxville. Kirby shows up at one of Ladd’s high school basketball games and makes the offer to come to UGA.

Being a Volunteer family, McConkey makes an unofficial visit to the University of Tennessee to see if CJP might be interested before accepting the Georgia offer. The best they can do is allow him to become a walk-on. McConkey goes on to sign with Georgia and contributes to our butt whooping in Athens this year along with another Natty Title. It’s not always about the 4 or 5 Stars ratings. Kirby recognized pure talent and work ethic. Pruitt and company missed out on a winner.

Can you imagine if we would have had McConkey lined up with Hyatt, Bru, Keyton and Tillman the past two seasons? Hooker would have been even more amazing with the additional talent he would have provided. Can you imagine if McConkey would have not been in a red jersey on November 5th? Ifs and Buts.

The moral of the story is Kirby Smart knew what he needed and Stars didn’t enter into the equation. CJH has put together recruits for what he needs to make this team better. We have some Stars and we have role players that will produce where needed most. CJH will prove himself during the next two seasons. Higher rated players will continue to sign with us. Yes, Stars do matter. Just look at Alabama and Georgia caliber of athletes across the field and on the bench. But, the most important factor is a coaching staff that can assess talent and develop it into Winners. Go Big Orange!
Click to expand...

Cherry pick much?? Good for McConkey, believe he has a cute girlfriend as well. There are quite a few skinny, white undersized wide receivers out there every year. Kirby was super "smart", because he had missed out on multiple higher rated wr's and McConkey was an afterthought. Also, the ability to stay healthy and play an entire season comes into question with someone so slight. As much as you hate it, we applaud what he has accomplished, but he would likely not have started over Bru, Keyton, Tillman, Hyatt. He is athletic and runs very good routes and has done great for his school, but I don't anticipate him being a high draft pick in the NFL. Georgia had a run oriented offense and so quality wr's were passing on them. He just happened to be in the right spot at the right time, not too unlike Bennett.

Again, I applaud what he has done - but it had little to nothing to do with Kirby being Kreskin and Pruitt being an idiot - although Pruitt was an idiot. Coaches recruit to needs and rosters. Sometimes it works out for kid X at Tennessee and sometimes it works out for kid Y at Georgia. You could make a similar case for 4 or 5 Georgia kids on our roster that were "overlooked" by Georgia. Nothing to see here - Much ado about nothing.
 
#47
#47
Plus what kind of name is Ladd. It's kind of like Stetson. He's a fine lad. Embarrassing name, glad he's at Georgia - don't really want to root for Ladd. Keep all the Stetson, Ladd, and other Southern antebellum names at Georgia please.
 
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#48
#48
Chickenfarmer said:
McConkey grew in the Tennessee/ Georgia border county of Murray in NW Georgia. His dad was a standout QB for Dalton Catamounts in the early 90s. The McConkey family bleeds or used to bleed Big Orange. As a skinny, undersized wide receiver at North Murray High School in Chatsworth, GA, McConkey was not recruited by any D1 schools. His dream was to play in Neyland Stadium one day. No offers came from Knoxville.

About two weeks before National Signing Day, Kirby Smart became interested in this relatively unknown receiver. McConkey thought he was being pranked when he heard Georgia was interested. Maybe Coach Pruitt will answer with a call. Nothing from Knoxville. Kirby shows up at one of Ladd’s high school basketball games and makes the offer to come to UGA.

Being a Volunteer family, McConkey makes an unofficial visit to the University of Tennessee to see if CJP might be interested before accepting the Georgia offer. The best they can do is allow him to become a walk-on. McConkey goes on to sign with Georgia and contributes to our butt whooping in Athens this year along with another Natty Title. It’s not always about the 4 or 5 Stars ratings. Kirby recognized pure talent and work ethic. Pruitt and company missed out on a winner.

Can you imagine if we would have had McConkey lined up with Hyatt, Bru, Keyton and Tillman the past two seasons? Hooker would have been even more amazing with the additional talent he would have provided. Can you imagine if McConkey would have not been in a red jersey on November 5th? Ifs and Buts.

The moral of the story is Kirby Smart knew what he needed and Stars didn’t enter into the equation. CJH has put together recruits for what he needs to make this team better. We have some Stars and we have role players that will produce where needed most. CJH will prove himself during the next two seasons. Higher rated players will continue to sign with us. Yes, Stars do matter. Just look at Alabama and Georgia caliber of athletes across the field and on the bench. But, the most important factor is a coaching staff that can assess talent and develop it into Winners. Go Big Orange!
Click to expand...
You recon he's a closet fan?
 
#49
#49
Chickenfarmer said:
McConkey grew in the Tennessee/ Georgia border county of Murray in NW Georgia. His dad was a standout QB for Dalton Catamounts in the early 90s. The McConkey family bleeds or used to bleed Big Orange. As a skinny, undersized wide receiver at North Murray High School in Chatsworth, GA, McConkey was not recruited by any D1 schools. His dream was to play in Neyland Stadium one day. No offers came from Knoxville.

About two weeks before National Signing Day, Kirby Smart became interested in this relatively unknown receiver. McConkey thought he was being pranked when he heard Georgia was interested. Maybe Coach Pruitt will answer with a call. Nothing from Knoxville. Kirby shows up at one of Ladd’s high school basketball games and makes the offer to come to UGA.

Being a Volunteer family, McConkey makes an unofficial visit to the University of Tennessee to see if CJP might be interested before accepting the Georgia offer. The best they can do is allow him to become a walk-on. McConkey goes on to sign with Georgia and contributes to our butt whooping in Athens this year along with another Natty Title. It’s not always about the 4 or 5 Stars ratings. Kirby recognized pure talent and work ethic. Pruitt and company missed out on a winner.

Can you imagine if we would have had McConkey lined up with Hyatt, Bru, Keyton and Tillman the past two seasons? Hooker would have been even more amazing with the additional talent he would have provided. Can you imagine if McConkey would have not been in a red jersey on November 5th? Ifs and Buts.

The moral of the story is Kirby Smart knew what he needed and Stars didn’t enter into the equation. CJH has put together recruits for what he needs to make this team better. We have some Stars and we have role players that will produce where needed most. CJH will prove himself during the next two seasons. Higher rated players will continue to sign with us. Yes, Stars do matter. Just look at Alabama and Georgia caliber of athletes across the field and on the bench. But, the most important factor is a coaching staff that can assess talent and develop it into Winners. Go Big Orange!
Click to expand...

Hyatt>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>MCConkey
 
#50
#50
McConkey was a possession receiver at UGA until recently.

His big "all by himself lonesome TD" in the recent title game? Kirby's OC used a Heupel play, the one where the WR did a short curl route to the out of bounds marker covered by the CB, McConkey in the slot went uncovered as the inside receiver or end took a beaten LB and the safety who had the guy cutting to his left across his face and the slot/McConkey trotted into the end zone with no one within ten yards of him. We've seen Heupel use that play to success on just about everybody. The deal is on those 3 receiver sets on one side of the formation is you have to have a LB with the speed to cover as if he can't your safety is going to be challenged to cover a receiver going straight downfield from the slot for a TD or a simultaneous receiver going across the safety's face for a post TD. Having a nickel cover the slot one on one also ends it, but your defensive call has to be spot on with a partial zone man coverage.
 
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