McConkey attended North Murray High School in Chatsworth, Georgia.[1][2] He made the varsity team as a freshman. McConkey played quarterback, running back, defensive back, and punter and was also a return specialist.[3] In his senior year, he led North Murray to a 9–1 record and the school's first ever region championship.[4] McConkey finished the year with 36 total touchdowns and 3,051 total yards, being named the offensive player of the year for the region.[5] McConkey was a three-star recruit and committed to the University of Georgia, his only Power Five offer, on February 2, 2020.[6][7] His jersey number, 15, was retired by North Murray in 2023.[8]
College career
McConkey redshirted and was initially a member of Georgia's scout team.[9] In McConkey's redshirt freshman year, he caught five touchdowns with 28 receptions for 430 yards.[10] His first career touchdown came against Vanderbilt. McConkey also rushed for one touchdown. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Week after the 34-10 win over Auburn, where he received 135 yards and scored one touchdown.[11] McConkey played in all of Georgia's games making seven starts.[12]
McConkey scored two touchdowns, one receiving, and one rushing, against Oregon in the 2022 seasonopener.[13] Against Kent State, McConkey recorded a career high six receptions.[14] He scored a touchdown against Florida before tallying a season-high 94 yards against #1 Tennessee.[15][16] The following week against Mississippi State, McConkey would rush for a 70-yard touchdown while also adding a 17-yard receiving touchdown.[17] He left the SEC Championship Game against LSU on December 3, 2022, due to knee tendinitis.[18]
The following season, McConkey missed significant time due to injuries.[22][23] He finished the regular season with 29 receptions for 456 yards and two touchdowns, and he was named the recipient of the Wuerffel Trophy.[24][25] On January 1, 2024, McConkey declared for the 2024 NFL draft.[26][27] McConkey graduated from Georgia in 2023 with a degree in finance.[28]
McConkey was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers 34th overall with the pick acquired from a trade with New England Patriots.[32] On June 19, 2024, McConkey signed his four-year rookie contract with the Chargers worth $9.9 million guaranteed, with a $4 million signing bonus.[33] In his NFL debut, he scored a receiving touchdown in a 22–10 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1.[34]
A middle child, McConkey grew up a fan of the Tennessee Volunteers.[16][35] His father, Benji McConkey, was a star quarterback in high school at Dalton High,[36] while his brother, Hinton McConkey, played quarterback for the University of West Georgia in Division II in 2018.[37] McConkey writes "1-20-16" on his towel before games to honor his grandfather Vic McConkey, who died on that date.[38]
