Georgia safety Richard LeCounte announces decision on declaring for NFL draft

Richard LeCounte walked around Mercedes-Benz Superdome with the gold-plated turnover pads strapped around his chest. He hauled in his second interception to cap a Sugar Bowl win over Baylor.

“I don’t want to take these off,” LeCounte said.

For another season, he won’t have to.

LeCounte announced his plans Sunday to return to Georgia for his senior season. He went back-and-forth and took a few weeks to make a decision on whether to declare for the NFL draft.

He is the first Bulldog to officially announce a return after Andrew Thomas, Isaiah Wilson and D’Andre Swift opted to leave early. All players must make a decision by Jan. 17.

LeCounte returns to Georgia after a breakout season. His performance to close the season served as a microcosm of his entire body of work. The Hinesville, Ga., product emerged as a turnover machine in the Bulldogs’ secondary. He led the SEC in fumble recoveries with three and finished second in the conference with four interceptions.

He capped off the season by turning to the sideline to see former high school teammate Raekwon McMillan celebrating. LeCounte yelled “That’s how we play!” to his longtime friend out of Liberty County who wore Georgia gear as a former Ohio State player.

LeCounte will be the lone returner at safety after J.R. Reed exhausted eligibility and heads for the NFL draft. Reed is currently the only defensive back to depart after a source told The Telegraph that Mark Webb Jr., who starts at STAR, will return for his final campaign.