Pro Football Network recently ranked the top-ten safety prospects for the 2021 NFL Draft.
The site included Georgia senior Richard LeCounte, but in my opinion has the Riceboro native too low.
LeCounte checked in at No. 8 on the list.
From PFN:
“One of the most well-rounded players in the class, Richard LeCounte has arguably the highest floor of any safety in this class. Consistently productive for the Bulldogs, he projects as a quality starter in the NFL. LeCounte has decent size, decent athletic ability, and a decent skill-set all around. Unfortunately, that can be both a pro and a con, as it lowers his ceiling in the NFL. Will LeCounte ever be an impact playmaker? Potentially, but I wouldn’t bet on it. However, he can be a consistent and quality starter for a long time.”
Through three seasons, two of which saw him as a full-time starter, LeCounte has racked up 150 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, six pass breakups, five fumble recoveries, and four forced fumbles.
LeCounte ranked as the second best prospect in the SEC, according to PFN, behind only LSU’s JaCoby Stevens.
LeCounte has established himself as a playmaker on Georgia’s elite defense. Georgia had the top-ranked scoring defense in the nation last season. LeCounte does lose his partner in crime at the safety position, J.R. Reed, though. He’ll miss Reed, but now he’s ready to run the back-end of UGA’s defense.
The former five-star recruit has forced a combined nine turnovers over the last two seasons. LeCounte recorded the second most interceptions in the SEC last season with four. He recovered the most fumbles (three) in the league as well. It’ll be a pleasure to watch his last season between the hedges.