UGA Football roster: Richard LeCounte one of the new leaders on defense

Richard LeCounte III enters the 2020 season as a three-year starter for UGA at the safety position. The senior from Riceboro had a chance to leave school early, but he chose to stay and lead the defense one more year.

If any player on the UGA football defense knows what leadership looks like, it’s safety Richard LeCounte III. The senior has played around it his who career. LeCounte played behind interception specialist Dominick Sanders as a freshman and the next two years beside stalwart J.R. Reed. Plus, head coach Kirby Smart played safety for the Bulldogs in the 1990s.

LeCounte has seen model defensive backfield leadership his whole career, which is why fans shouldn’t have any concerns about LeCounte’s own abilities to lead. In fact, LeCounte has already begun to step up.

He was outstanding late last season, being a part of four turnovers in the last half of the regular season. In the Sugar Bowl, his first game starting without Reed (foot injury) beside him, LeCounte intercepted two passes as Georgia’s defense shut down the outstanding Baylor offense. Opposing ball carriers are not allowed to be careless with the ball around LeCounte. He will make them pay.

LeCounte is one of those contagious football players. He plays with a ton of energy and enthusiasm, but he never plays overzealously. He’s a hard hitter, always around the ball and is never caught taking a play-off. His energy and enthusiasm spreads throughout the team and everyone wants to play better for him.

LeCounte enters the 2020 season having appeared in 35 games (27 starts) at safety. In three seasons, he’s made 150 tackles and has intercepted five passes. His 74 tackles led the team in 2018. Last week, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation included him on the watchlist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.