UW Fresh Start (No. 12): Covington Needs to Play Himself Into a Corner

Covington has the reputation, size and opportunity to be great, to become the next McDuffie or Gordon, if not Kevin King, Byron Murphy or Elijah Molden.

At 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, Covington is taller and longer than his predecessors. He also might be a much more physical player than both of them. 

Yet it will be totally up to this Arizona native to play as just as smart and error-free as his high-profile ex-teammates.

A month and a half until spring practice, we're offering gathered intel and observations on the UW football personnel left to DeBoer in a series of stories on every scholarship player from No. 0 to 99. We'll review each Husky's previous starting experience, if applicable, and determine what comes next.

As is the case with any coaching change, it's a new football beginning for everyone, including for the Huskies' No. 12 on the defense.

Covington, even in a reserve role, played in all 12 UW games last season and came up with 5 tackles, including an 8-yard sack against Arkansas State that pleased him no end (see the above photo gallery for his enthusiastic celebration).

UW Starter or Not : As a one-time 4-star recruit who said no thanks to Oklahoma, Texas A&M, LSU, Arizona State and Nebraska, Covington entered the Husky program as highly regarded as any defensive back since Budda Baker. While a huge opportunity awaits, he won't be just handed a starting job. He's one of three veteran players vying for two spots — joined by UC Davis transfer Jordan Perryman, a 34-game starter and first-team All-Big Sky selection, and fellow sophomore Mishael Powell, who pulled three opening assignments when McDuffie got banged up or the Huskies went with an extra defensive back — and a host of younger players waiting to impress and move up. Covington rates as much of a chance of any of these candidates to become a Husky starter.

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