2017 phenom LeCounte talks early favorites

Class of 2017 Hinesville (Ga.) Liberty County athlete Richard LeCounte starting picking up scholarship offers one month into his freshman year of high school. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that he already has a group of leaders that includes some of college football's most powerful programs.

"Right now my group of leaders is Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Florida State and Auburn," the 5-foot-10, 171-pound LeCounte said. "But I'm taking it slow and still looking at what is out there."

LeCounte is very high on the in-state Bulldogs and said his relationship with current players on the team has helped the school's position with him.

"I know a lot of players on the team and I always love getting up there in that game atmosphere," LeCounte said. "I like seeing those boys that I've seen growing up in high school go at it in college. The coaching staff is amazing; I talk to them on a weekly basis and things like that. It's just an exciting environment for me to be in, and it's the real deal up there."

LeCounte is listed in the Rivals.com database as a safety, but said Georgia defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt has told him that he could be a cornerback or a safety at the school.

"He's told me I fit perfectly in there, playing - whether I want to play cornerback or safety," LeCounte said. "Whatever I chose or whatever he wants me to do, I'll do it."

Clemson is also making a strong push for LeCounte and he said he's paying close attention to the success the school's defense had this past year.

"Clemson is big time," LeCounte said. "I really like those guys. Coach Jeff Scott, he's my recruiter, I call him and talk to him all the time. He's a very nice person. The whole coaching staff at Clemson, it's a good place to be and the environment that they have, it's a real family environment. I really like them, too."

LeCounte's former teammate and close friend, Raekwon McMillan, played a key role in Ohio State's run to the national championship this past season. LeCounte said he's still very high on the Buckeyes as well.

"Talking to him, this year's been great for him," LeCounte said of McMillan. "Everyday, I talk to him, ask him questions, picking his brain about how he likes it and things like that. I really can't imagine a better freshman year - to be able to play as much as he did and making it to the big bowl game his first year and being on the freshman All-American team. So he's really excited to be there and it's a real good place to be."

LeCounte also gave his thoughts on Florida State and Auburn.

Florida State: "Coach Fisher's great. He said 'if you want to win, you just come here and we'll make sure we get you bulked up and ready to go.' I really like playing that position that Jalen Ramsey does. I just have to get bigger in size and get faster and keep developing and I can do it."

Auburn: "It's not really that far from home and since Coach Muschamp has got there recently, it's really going to be a good defense that he's going to have and a great all-around program that Coach Gus is building, so that would be a good place, too."

As a sophomore, LeCounte had 100 total tackles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries.