3 key questions for Georgia secondary, including LeCounte’s turn to lead defense

This is part of a series to preview Georgia football’s 2020 season through a closer look at each of the Bulldogs’ positions. Today we’re looking at the secondary.

Key departures: S J.R. Reed, DB Tyrique McGhee

Projected depth chart

CB: Eric Stokes, D.J. Daniel, Tyson Campbell, Tyrique Stevenson

Safety: Richard LeCounte, Lewis Cine, Christopher Smith, William Poole III

STAR: Mark Webb, Divaad Wilson

Will experience allow continued success with a chaotic offseason?

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench in every team’s preparations for the 2020 season. Spring practices were canceled, coaches and players have been kept apart. Even with players now back in Athens, things are far from normal.

The Bulldogs, however, are blessed with a wealth of experience on the back end of the defense. Richard LeCounte, Eric Stokes and Tyson Campbell have all been starters at various points for the past two seasons, while Mark Webb and D.J. Daniel cracked the starting lineup a year ago.

These leaders will be crucial as the season approaches and the defense prepares for the grind of SEC play. Their experience and amount of time they’ve played together should help lessen the effect of a crazy offseason, at least in the secondary.

How will Richard LeCounte replace the leadership of J.R. Reed?

Of those leaders, LeCounte might be the most vital to the defense. He’s watched for three years as Reed has acted as one of the quarterbacks on the defensive side. Now, it’s his turn.

LeCounte has a knack for making big hits and causing turnovers, but he also has lacked discipline in the past. Head coach Kirby Smart has said that his safety sometimes goes off script while patrolling the secondary.

As one of the senior leaders of the defense, LeCounte will now be looked at to provide stability, communication and discipline to the Bulldog defenders. After being under Reed’s wing, the defense is now his to command.

What will Tyrique Stevenson’s role be?

Stevenson might be the most versatile member of the Georgia secondary. He can play everywhere, from corner to STAR to even a little bit of safety.

That gives Smart and defensive coordinator Dan Lanning all kinds of lineup flexibility. If the situation calls for it, they can have three STAR-type players on the field at once with Stevenson, Webb and Divaad Wilson. Stevenson also provides depth should an injury occur anywhere in the secondary.

No matter his role, Stevenson will be a large part of what should be a stingy Bulldog secondary in 2020.