Richard LeCounte III, his name always reminded me of the dark antagonists of the vampire books I read as a teenager.
I envisioned “The Count” swooping in to make a plethora of interceptions and fumble recoveries at UGA, back when he was in high school, but committed to Georgia. Upon arrival in Athens, head coach Kirby Smart played LeCounte early but rode him hard, publicly. Smart said he could play better, was maturing through growing pains, called for LeCounte to become a better leader for the defense, even as a true sophomore. Coming off a career-high two interceptions in the Sugar Bowl to conclude his junior year, before announcing his intention to return for his senior season, LeCounte is the key candidate to be Kirby’s top Dawg.