Ladd McConkey return can't be overemphasized for Georgia offense
Ladd McConkey will return for a redshirt junior season. His decision cannot be overemphasized in the grand scheme of Georgia’s offense.
Yes, A.D. Mitchell is in the portal. That isn’t a net positive, and I won’t try to spin it that way.
But let’s take a look at McConkey’s critical choice to play for Georgia for at least one more season.
Ladd McConkey will be a redshirt junior in 2023.
His return, alongside Brock Bowers‘s – and presumably Todd Monken‘s – is massive news for a Georgia offense that will try to pull off a re-loading effort of its own next season.
The 2022 National Championship season’s story was all about Georgia’s defensive replacements.
The 2023 attempt at a three-peat will hinge upon the offense’s ability to get a bunch of new faces and players up to speed. That would’ve been the case even if AD Mitchell stayed.
Ladd McConkey had the opportunity to leave. Here’s why his return is so huge for the Dawgs next season:
Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers are two of the most important keys to Georgia’s offense in 2023
Obviously, so is whichever quarterback replaces Heisman Trophy finalist Stetson Bennett. Carson Beck, Brock Vandagriff and Gunner Stockton will all have a shot.
But here’s the good news for Georgia football:
Ladd McConkey and Brock Bowers were also two of the most important keys to Georgia’s offense in 2022.
Bowers (63 catches, 942 yards, 10 total TD) and McConkey (58 catches, 762 yards, 9 total TD) were Georgia’s two biggest receiving weapons last season.
So Georgia has that going for it.
The Dawgs’ third-biggest receiving option last season was Kenny McIntosh – a running back (43 catches, 504 yards, 12 total TD).
Who else is ready to step up?
Georgia’s biggest challenge in the passing game may not be replacing Mitchell. It may be finding a worthy running back to replace what McIntosh did from that position.
Can Kendall Milton make that part of his game, or will it be up to Daijun Edwards, Branson Robinson, Andrew Paul and Roderick Robinson?
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Dillon Bell and Arian Smith made big plays down the stretch for Georgia. Transfer portal additions Rara Thomas and Dominic Lovett will have an opportunity to make their own splashes.
Oscar Delp will step to spell Bowers at tight end.
Tyler Williams, Anthony Evans, Yazeed Haynes, Pearce Spurlin and Lawson Luckie join the program as true freshmen. Duce Robinson may as well.
So while the absence of A.D. Mitchell’s potential contributions stings, and the depth may appear thin with Dominick Blaylock‘s and Kearis Jackson‘s departures…
…the Dawgs already found a way to attack defenses without Mitchell in 2022 – the Dawgs’ most dangerous offensive season in school history.
You can’t replace the career accomplishments of A.D. Mitchell.
But Ladd McConkey’s return – alongside all of that receiving depth at other positions – sure helps soften the blow of his exit.
