A group of SEC coaches named Georgia safety Richard LeCounte as one of the most underrated prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft. Details here
We are just a few days away from the 2021 NFL Draft which kicks off on Thursday night. For months we’ve seen mock drafts and prospect rankings swarm the media in preparation, bringing up some serious questions regarding UGA’s Richard LeCounte and his weirdly low draft stock.
LeCounte is hard to find on most draft boards and Pro Football Focus has the All-SEC first team safety out of their top-10 rankings at the position.
But why? Some will point to his speed. LeCounte averaged a 4.79 forty yard dash during Georgia’s pro day in March. Others point to his coverage skills, saying the lack of quickness will translate to matchup problems at the next level.
If we’re being honest here, these claims are unsubstantiated and in reality, just guesses.
LeCounte is one of the most productive defensive backs in Georgia football history. And at a defensive prowess like UGA, that’s saying something.
Before LeCounte’s motorcyle accident that kept him out for the latter part of 2020, the Riceboro, Ga., native racked up 26 tackles, a tackle for loss, a fumble recovery, two interceptions and four pass breakups in just five games played as the unquestioned leader of one of the top defenses in the country.
Matt Zenitz of AL.com spoke to 15 coaches that worked in the SEC last season and asked the question: Outside of the players widely projected to go in the first round, which SEC draft prospects would you most want on your team if you were an NFL general manager?
No surprise here, LeCounte finished tied for first place with five votes.
Zenitz quoted one of the responses,
“I thought he was lights out the best safety in the conference — his range, versatility, just his ability to command it back there,” a head coach said. “Not only was he skilled but he knew what was coming. He was prepared. He’s a vocal, physical, contact player who can get the ball out of the air. Can match in coverage. He’s got NFL three-dimensional versatility where he can play on the roof, can match in coverage and can fit the box. And if you have a fourth category, he can blitz from anywhere on the field. I thought he was dynamic. Did he play with a great supporting cast? Yeah. But I thought he led that supporting cast.”
LeCounte finished his career at UGA with 44 games played, racking up 165 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, eight interceptions, 18 passes defended, four forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.
LeCounte knows just how good his tape is…
