Richard LeCounte III Tweets Top 7: Odds Where 4-Star ATH Lands in 2017
Georgia prospect Richard LeCounte III gained notoriety as one of the Southeast's premier playmakers as an underclassman. Now nearing the end of his junior season, the Liberty County High School standout is focused on finding an ideal collegiate fit.
LeCounte, a 5'11", 174-pound defensive back and wide receiver, revealed a list of favorite schools Sunday evening:
"My Top Schools In No Order #Blessed pic.twitter.com/DWsO8ZYsAN
— Richard LeCounte III (@LilEasy_35) November 1, 2015"
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
This collection is headlined by a trio of SEC universities and the past two national champions. Georgia Southern, a Sun Belt Conference contender just one year removed from its leap to FBS competition, also made the cut.
It's an eclectic mix of options for LeCounte to consider moving forward. Though he won't enroll on campus until 2017, the versatile recruit has already commanded significant investment from various coaching staffs.
Rated second nationally among "athletes" in 2017 composite rankings, LeCounte is largely projected to land at cornerback or safety. However, his attributes as a threat with the football also create some opportunity for a future on offense.
He's tallied 565 rushing yards, 494 receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns through nine games this season, according to MaxPreps. LeCounte has returned three kicks for scores since his sophomore campaign, indicating he could make a major special teams impact in college.
His status as a defensive ball hawk was earned early, when LeCounte recorded five interceptions as a freshman. He's added another two picks so far this fall, while tallying 78 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four forced fumbles.
Currently on the cusp of 5-star territory in composite rankings, LeCounte is certainly someone who could earn that distinction after a dominant 2015 effort.
There isn't an established date for his decision and, with talent of this level, a recruitment is rarely settled before the national letter of intent is signed. Based on his latest update and circumstances to this stage, we applied odds to programs that appear to be strongest in play for LeCounte.
Ohio State: 2-1
Former 5-star prospect Raekwon McMillan made a name for himself at Liberty County before joining the Buckeyes in 2014. Now Ohio State seems to be in an enviable position for his former teammate.
LeCounte, who's traveled to Columbus multiple times and attended Friday Night Lights camp this summer, recently returned to campus for a matchup against Penn State. He soaked in the setting as Ohio State cruised to a 38-10 victory in front of a "black out" crowd.
“It was great – a great experience,” LeCounte told Bill Kurelic of 247Sports. “It was an historic experience watching the black out. I loved the uniforms. It was a crazy environment.”
His tight bond with McMillan may not be the most important element in a widespread recruitment, but it's certainly worth noting. Ohio State's rising star linebacker might ultimately leave campus before LeCounte would arrive, but their open communication about life as a Buckeyes football player could prove pivotal.
"It gets Live in the Trenches big bro , @Kwon_daTRUTH pic.twitter.com/7qegzhBcUA
— Richard LeCounte III (@LilEasy_35) September 22, 2015"
LeCounte seriously considered committing to Ohio State in July while in town for Friday Night Lights, according to Jeremy Birmingham of ElevenWarriors.com. Though he didn't pull the trigger on a pledge then, Meyer and his staff continue to sustain momentum.
He is projected to sign with the Buckeyes by 58 percent of experts' predictions in 247Sports' Crystal Ball. Ohio State already holds a commitment from Georgia defensive back Isaiah Pryor, who is rated third overall among 2017 Peach State prospects in composite rankings.
Georgia: 3-1
With all due respect to Georgia Southern, the Bulldogs are in-state favorites to land LeCounte. Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and assistant Mike Ekeler have made a strong impression on the young recruit, developing greater rapport this fall.
He is a pivotal part of the process for local Bulldogs recruiting efforts toward signing day 2017.
Head coach Mark Richt landed a pledge from premier in-state junior quarterback Bailey Hockman earlier this year. However, the 4-star passer is the only top-30 Georgia recruit in the cycle to join Georgia as a pledge.
LeCounte clearly still views the Bulldogs among his top choices, but Georgia no longer sits in the driver's seat as it did before.
"Only time will tell whether Georgia will re-take the lead," he told Kipp Adams of 247Sports in September. "They have not done anything bad to be No. 2. Ohio State just made a good pitch about me coming in and playing and with them coming off a national championship, it is tough to overlook something like that."
Richt and company haven't exactly helped their cause with three losses in the past four contests. Look for the Georgia staff to line up another campus visit soon following multiple game-day visits from LeCounte earlier this season.
Clemson: 5-1
The Tigers identified LeCounte as a coveted athlete extremely early in the process, extending him a scholarship offer midway through his freshman season. Clemson signed six top-20 Peach State products in the past two cycles, so head coach Dabo Swinney and his staff have treated Georgia as fertile recruiting territory.
With wins in 17 of its past 18 matchups, Clemson is among the hottest college football programs in America. The team's success, combined with a long-standing pursuit of LeCounte, makes it a legitimate contender to lure him beyond state borders.
"#ALLIN pic.twitter.com/pmfq5rE39r
— Richard LeCounte III (@LilEasy_35) July 5, 2015"
Florida State, Florida and Auburn are also intent on acquiring this out-of-state talent, but we like the Tigers' chances more at this stage. The next key step for Clemson is to coordinate an upcoming campus visit, preferably for game action.
The Tigers have just two home games remaining on the 2015 schedule—against Florida State and Wake Forest—so this may be a difficult task depending on LeCounte's personal obligations at Liberty County.
Clemson, currently carrying just two pledges in its 2017 class, has already dedicated more than two years to this recruitment. Don't expect Swinney to take his foot off the gas pedal now that Clemson is officially one of LeCounte's favored landing spots.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
