Alabama lost two football players and Georgia kept one Saturday as some of the Southeastern Conference’s top juniors continued to make decisions regarding whether to leave early for the NFL.
Bulldogs safety Richard LeCounte III posted “Year 4 – Let’s do it!” on Twitter, announcing his return to Athens. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound former five-star signee from Riceboro, Georgia, amassed 61 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles this past season for the league’s top defense.
Two of LeCounte’s interceptions occurred this past Wednesday night in the 26-14 win over Baylor in the Sugar Bowl.
Announcing their departures from Alabama were receiver Jerry Jeudy and right tackle Jedrick Wills. Jeudy was ESPN analyst Mel Kiper’s top overall draft prospect entering the 2019 season, and a CBS mock draft this week pegged him going ninth overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jeudy’s finale for the Crimson Tide resulted in six catches for 204 yards and a touchdown in Wednesday’s 35-16 whipping of Michigan in the Citrus Bowl.