Tennessee football: Top 10 players Vol have to face in 2020

Senior; Riceboro, Ga.

We are on to our second defensive back on this list. While Patrick Surtain II brings a level of versatility that the Vols will have to account for, Richard LeCounte III may be the best defensive back in the SEC. After becoming a starter in 2018, LeCounte was a breakout player in 2019, and he has developed every year for the Georgia Bulldogs in Kirby Smart’s system.

A 5’11” 190-pound graduate from Liberty County High School in Georgia, LeCounte came away with four and a half tackles for a loss, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, three pass deflections and 61 tackles, 35 of which were solo last year. Simply put, as a safety, he did what he was supposed to do by being all over the field.

To make matters worse for Jeremy Pruitt, LeCounte’s best game may have come against Tennessee football. He had a tackle for a loss and an interception in that game, and he had five tackles overall, four of which were solo. Brian Maurer did have his first start that day, but it was still brutal for the Vols to have to deal with him.

Now, with more experience, LeCounte’s potential is insane. He could become an unstoppable force in every way, and there may be nothing the Vols can do about it. With Jarrett Guarantano likely back in as the starter this year, he will have to be the one to deal with LeCounte. It won’t be easy for him, though.