Kaiser
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 16,628
- Reaction score
- 28,430
Looks like a candidate to be the backup Mike who can play special teams. 6'2 245 4.78, Brugler rated him as an UDFA:
STRENGTHS: Combative take-on player, using his reach to extend and work off blockers…lateral agility to read and flow…quality run fits to face up ballcarriers and load up behind his pads…strong hands as a tackler to finish once he makes contact…hungry blitzer and plays with clear passion…continuous motor will clean up the mistakes of his teammates…patrols the middle of the field well, floating into zones with a feel for spacing…finds the ball before it arrives in coverage…unselfishly moved positions based on the coaching staff’s recommendation…productive in his only season as a starter and wasn’t out-shined by the more the Hoosiers’ more accomplished linebacker Tegray Scales.
WEAKNESSES: Lacks elite speed and range for the position and can’t afford a wrong step…overeager tackler downhill and eaten up by blockers, allowing the runner to find an escape route…needs to better leverage inside gaps…laser focused on the ballcarrier and late to recognize climbing blockers, slowing his sideline pursuit…sees plays develop, but needs to better read his keys pre-snap to anticipate…shows some hip tightness in his transition when dropping…coverage will be a work-in-progress for him…only one season of starting experience at linebacker and still relatively new at the position…missed most of his true freshman season with a torn ACL (Oct. 2014).
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Indiana, Covington lined up inside in the Hoosiers’ dual-linebacker scheme, playing next to Tegray Scales. He moved between several positions his first two seasons in Bloomington and entered 2017 with one career defensive start, but quickly adapted and played like a veteran. While very average from a size/speed perspective, Covington competes with a physical appetite and fills with power. With his lack of experience at the position, he needs to continue and develop his awareness, but he rarely took himself out of plays on tape, including in coverage. Overall, Covington might not have a high ceiling in the NFL, but he flashes the competitive chops and enough speed to see the field on special teams.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
STRENGTHS: Combative take-on player, using his reach to extend and work off blockers…lateral agility to read and flow…quality run fits to face up ballcarriers and load up behind his pads…strong hands as a tackler to finish once he makes contact…hungry blitzer and plays with clear passion…continuous motor will clean up the mistakes of his teammates…patrols the middle of the field well, floating into zones with a feel for spacing…finds the ball before it arrives in coverage…unselfishly moved positions based on the coaching staff’s recommendation…productive in his only season as a starter and wasn’t out-shined by the more the Hoosiers’ more accomplished linebacker Tegray Scales.
WEAKNESSES: Lacks elite speed and range for the position and can’t afford a wrong step…overeager tackler downhill and eaten up by blockers, allowing the runner to find an escape route…needs to better leverage inside gaps…laser focused on the ballcarrier and late to recognize climbing blockers, slowing his sideline pursuit…sees plays develop, but needs to better read his keys pre-snap to anticipate…shows some hip tightness in his transition when dropping…coverage will be a work-in-progress for him…only one season of starting experience at linebacker and still relatively new at the position…missed most of his true freshman season with a torn ACL (Oct. 2014).
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Indiana, Covington lined up inside in the Hoosiers’ dual-linebacker scheme, playing next to Tegray Scales. He moved between several positions his first two seasons in Bloomington and entered 2017 with one career defensive start, but quickly adapted and played like a veteran. While very average from a size/speed perspective, Covington competes with a physical appetite and fills with power. With his lack of experience at the position, he needs to continue and develop his awareness, but he rarely took himself out of plays on tape, including in coverage. Overall, Covington might not have a high ceiling in the NFL, but he flashes the competitive chops and enough speed to see the field on special teams.
GRADE: Priority Free Agent
