Former Liberty County High School and Georgia Bulldog star Richard LeCounte had to wait until day three of the 2021 NFL Draft to hear his name called by the Cleveland Browns, but he now has his shot to make an NFL roster. He showed out in the team’s first preseason game of the season on Saturday, August 14.

The Browns traveled down to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars and the first overall pick, former Clemson Tiger quarterback Trevor Lawrence. LeCounte, knowing he would have to shine in order to secure his spot with the Browns, took full advantage of his opportunity, recording two tackles, a sack, two pass deflections and an interception.

LeCounte’s interception came on the final play of the first half as he snagged a deep ball thrown by two-year Jaguars’ starter Gardnew Minshew. He returned the ball 28 yards before being dragged down.

His interception came just one drive after nearly picking off a Minshew pass earlier in the quarter.

LeCounte’s showing in the Browns’ 23-13 win over the Jaguars will certainly help his chances of being on the roster come September.

LeCounte was drafted by the Browns in the fifth round of the NFL Draft in May after he missed the second half of the 2020 college football season. He was injured in a dirtbike accident in November and was not able to return until the final play of his collegiate career in the Bulldogs’ win over the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl.

Prior to his sidelining injury, LeCounte was regarded as one of the top safety prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft class and was projected as a second to third round pick. Continued progress like this could lead to the Browns having one of the biggest steals of this year’s draft.