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.
"Being able to play the sport I love alongside some of the greatest people in the game has been a blessing for me," Jeudy posted Saturday on Twitter. "I will forever represent the Crimson Tide."
CBS picked Wills to go sixth overall to the Los Angeles Chargers. The 6-5, 320-pounder's departure gives Alabama a split at the tackle position, with junior left tackle Alex Leatherwood having announced his return to Tuscaloosa on Thursday.
"It has been a dream of mine since the first time I strapped up my pads to play in the National Football League," Wills posted on Twitter. "After prayers and discussion with my family, I have decided to forgo my senior season and declare for the 2020 NFL draft. Roll Tide forever."
Also returning to Alabama is junior inside linebacker Dylan Moses, who missed the entire 2019 season after an August knee injury.
Vanderbilt names coordinators
Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason announced Saturday that Todd Fitch would be his new offensive coordinator and that Ted Roof would be his defensive coordinator.
Fitch spent this past season as Louisiana Tech's offensive coordinator under Skip Holtz, guiding the 10-win Bulldogs to 436.8 yards and 32.5 points per game. Roof was Appalachian State's defensive coordinator this past season - the Mountaineers went 13-1 - and was the DC for Auburn's 2010 national championship team.
Ringo a Georgia signee
Georgia picked up one of the nation's top names and players Saturday afternoon in San Antonio's All-American Bowl, with cornerback Keelee Ringo of Scottsdale, Arizona, making his announcement. The 6-2, 205-pounder signed with the Bulldogs last month but wanted to wait until Saturday before publicly declaring.
Ringo is the nation's No. 1 cornerback and the No. 8 overall prospect on the 247Sports.com composite rankings.
Fountain leaving?
Scott Fountain, the special teams coordinator at Georgia the past two seasons, is reportedly leaving for the same role under new Arkansas coach Sam Pittman. The move was reported by the 247Sports.com site at Arkansas, which cited sources.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.