Richard

LeCounte III

LeCounte (5'11/190) was well on his way to being one of the best defensive backs in college football this past season, but he missed time in October after being involved in a motorcycle accident. In spite of the injuries suffered, which may be why he isn’t taking part in the Senior Bowl, LeCounte accounted for three interceptions and four pass breakups in 2020. He is expected to hear his name called at some point on Day 2 of this spring’s NFL Draft.

LeCounte (5'11"/190) was in a car accident recently that has cost him a couple of games, but he is expected to be fully recovered for the Senior Bowl. The 33-game starter has three interceptions and four breakups so far in 2020. He forced three fumbles and picked off four balls last year. The former five-star recruit’s best asset is his versatility and ability to play safety or slide into a corner role if needed. He had a national coming out party picking off two passes against Baylor in last year’s Sugar Bowl. Though he is a bit undersized and lacking elite measurables, his recognition and football IQ for the position is top notch. LeCounte III projects as one of the top-five safeties in the 2021 NFL Draft class and should come off the board on Day 2.

LeCounte (5'11/190) was in a car accident recently that has cost him a couple of games, but he is expected to be fully recovered for the Senior Bowl. The 33-game starter has three interceptions and four breakups so far in 2020. He forced three fumbles and picked off four balls last year. The former five-star recruit’s best asset is his versatility and ability to play safety or slide into a corner role if needed. He had a national coming out party picking off two passes against Baylor in last year’s Sugar Bowl. Though he is a bit undersized and lacking elite measurables, his recognition and football IQ for the position is top notch. LeCounte III projects as one of the top-five safeties in the 2021 NFL Draft class and should come off the board on Day 2.

While the timing of the injury, which came as a result of a Cine (6'1/180) hit on Florida TE Kyle Pitts, is good for Georgia with regard to next week this is really bad news. With the sophomore done for the day the Bulldogs are without their top two safeties, as Richard LeCounte III is sidelined due to injuries suffered when he was hit by a car (while riding his scooter) last week. Freshman Major Burns will be asked to fill the void moving forward.

LeCounte was riding a dirt bike when he struck a vehicle making a left turn. Force of impact sent LeCounte’s bike into oncoming traffic, where it struck another car. LeCounte spent a night in intensive care before moving into regular hospital care for a few days. LeCounte won’t require surgery for the shoulder injury he suffered in the accident. He’s out for at least the next two games. The 33-game starter has three interceptions and four breakups so far in 2020. He forced three fumbles and picked off four balls last year.

The good news is, LeCounte’s life is not expected to be in any danger. He was admitted to the hospital on Saturday evening after being transported by ambulance. Though he is expected to make a full recovery in time, LeCounte is still being held at the hospital for further medical care. Stay tuned for updates on what exact injuries LeCounte suffered.

The bad news for the Bulldogs is that they’ll have to finish out the game without LeCounte (5'11/190), who is arguably the team’s best defensive player. That being said, the timing of the penalty qualifies as good news. With LeCounte having been ejected during the first half, he’ll be available for next weekend’s showdown with Tennessee from the start.

Like plenty of other Georgia players, LeCounte (5'11/190) could have made the leap to the NFL right now, if he really wanted to. However, that won’t be the case. LeCounte will stick around in Athens for his senior season, which will be his third year as a starter for the Bulldogs. LeCounte has five interceptions and 11 passes defended over the past two seasons.

LeCounte (5'11/190) is in good company with this stat, as he was tied with LSU standout Grant Delpit. All told last season, the junior registered 74 tackles, an interception, three passes defensed and a pair of forced fumbles while starting 13-of-14 contests. Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller ranks LeCounte as his No. 3 draft-eligible safety for next spring (trailing only Delpit and Alabama’s Xavier McKinney). The analyst views the Georgia standout as the best coverage safety in the prospective 2020 class.

“These two have almost identical measurables,” Luginbill wrote, “and now Jackson has blossomed into a 200-pounder which we expect LeCounte to do as well. The added bulk could help in run support and durability.” ESPN 300 lists LeCounte at 5-foot-11, 176 pounds, giving him room to grow with the Bulldogs. A native of Hinesville, Georgia, LeCounte received offers from heavy-hitters Alabama, Clemson, Florida State and Florida (among others), but chose to commit to Georgia in mid-December.