Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs Place School-Record Nine Players in 2021 NFL Draft
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CLEVELAND – With three players selected Saturday afternoon on the final day of the 2021 NFL Draft, the University of Georgia football program set a new record for its most players chosen in the seven-round era (since 1994) with nine. The prior school record was eight players selected, previously accomplished in 2002 and 2013.
Defensive back Richard LeCounte was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round with the 169th-overall pick, followed by Trey Hill being chosen in the sixth round by the Cincinnati Bengals with the 190th-overall pick. The Georgia contingent was rounded out by defensive back Mark Webb, who was picked 241st overall by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Georgia’s nine selected players ranked second in the SEC and tied for third nationally with Notre Dame. This is the first time Georgia has ranked second among SEC schools since 2012, which was also the last time the program finished among the nation’s top three.
LeCounte, a native of Riceboro, started 33 games for the Bulldogs, earning All-SEC First Team honors despite playing in only five regular-season games. During his career, LeCounte tallied 14 takeaways, including eight interceptions, while amassing 176 tackles over four seasons. In his final start against Kentucky on Oct. 24, he notched a career-high 13 tackles, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery, earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week and Jim Thorpe Award National Player of the Week honors. In his junior season, he picked off two passes against Baylor in the Sugar Bowl and returned an interception 71 yards against Missouri. His first career interception came as a sophomore off Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa in the 2018 SEC Championship Game.
LeCounte is the first Bulldog to be selected by the Browns since former teammate Nick Chubb was picked 35th overall in 2018.
Hill, a native of Warner Robins, started his final 22 games at center, following a four-game stint at right guard to close the 2018 season. The 2019 All-SEC Second Team performer played 95 percent of Georgia’s offensive snaps during his eight starts this past season before missing the final two games due to injury. Hill helped preserve a touchdown drive against Tennessee on Oct. 10, recovering a third-quarter fumble 15 yards downfield from the line of scrimmage. Prior to joining the Bulldogs, Hill was a teammate of former Georgia and current Buffalo Bills quarterback Jake Fromm for two seasons at Houston County HS.
Hill is the first Georgia player to be chosen by the Bengals since safety Shawn Williams went 84th overall in 2013. Along with Williams, Cincinnati has imported multiple prominent players from Athens in recent years, including A.J. Green, Clint Boling, Geno Atkins, and Robert Geathers.
Webb, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, appeared in 49 games over four seasons, starting 12 over his final two campaigns. Webb totaled 82 career tackles, including 46 in his junior season, ranking fifth on the team. He amassed 21 stops in his senior season and set a new career high with nine against Mississippi State on Nov. 21. He also posted his first career interception in a win over Auburn on Oct. 3, while tallying four tackles at Alabama on Oct. 10. Earlier in his career, he appeared in 13 games on special teams during the 2017 season, while converting from wide receiver to defensive back.
Webb is the second Bulldog to be selected by the Chargers in this year’s draft, following the selection of tight end Tre’ McKitty with the 97th pick Friday evening. Prior to McKitty, the Chargers had not chosen a Georgia product since Gene Washington in 1977.
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