Indiana University Athletics
Covington Takes Next Step for IU's Defense
9/21/2017 11:51:00 AM | Football
By: Pete DiPrimio
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Chris Covington insists he won't do it. Indiana's senior linebacker might have some practice fun by throwing a football with the quarterbacks, but to suggest getting a game quarterback moment, to be part of a trick-play offensive concept designed to get defenses into what-the-heck-is-up mode, well, he's not willing to go that far.
"I haven't done that," he says about pitching coaches for one more Cream 'n Crimson passing shot.
Covington was once a quarterback, first at the high school level, then for a season at Indiana, good enough to throw for 31 yards, pass for 91 more in five games as Nate Sudfeld's backup. Injuries and the realization that linebacker was his true calling resulted in a position change that is reaping maximum benefit this season.
Still, while those quarterback instincts fade, they don't disappear.
"In some (practice) periods I'll mess with the quarterbacks while they're doing their little drill and just tossing the ball around," he says. "There's nothing wrong with me still throwing the ball around. I throw it around quite a bit."
Of course, Covington's main focus centers on stuffing running backs, tight ends, receivers and quarterbacks. He's three seasons into the linebacker role, his first as a starting mainstay, and at 6-2 and 230 pounds, potential is everywhere you look.
"For Chris, we're just tapping the surface," linebackers coach William Inge says. "He has unlimited potential, unlimited skill. He has things that a lot of people are looking for -- long body, athleticism, being able to do multiple tasks, and he has a great special teams value. He has a high ceiling."
After two games Covington has 15 tackles. Only All-America Tegray Scales (20) and husky Marcelino Ball (18) have more for the Hoosiers.
Head coach Tom Allen says the Virginia game was the best of Covington's college career. He totaled a career-high eight tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Inge isn't surprised.
"The key for Chris is preparation. Being good is important to him. That's been the biggest thing we've seen. We've seen him be healthy, so now he's able to endure all the linebacker development. That's given him his edge."
Edges can be game changing in a 4-2-5 defensive scheme that relies so much on strong linebacker play.
"He's a big factor," safety Jonathan Crawford says. "We always knew he could come in and play. (Against Virginia) he proved he can set the bar high."
That bar includes pass coverage.
"It's about my technique and taking my coaching as far as it can go," Covington says. "Staying disciplined. As long as I take coaching and take what I learn from Coach Inge and what he teaches about my alignment, my steps, my keys, my eyes, I'll be fine."
Hitting people is crucial to linebackers just as avoiding hits are crucial to quarterbacks. Covington seamlessly transitioned from one to another, in part because he was a high school linebacker as well as a quarterback, in part because, well, it's better to give than to receive.
"The transition for me wasn't tough at all. I wanted to do this. I grew up dreaming about this. This is all I wanted."
Getting what he wanted -- being a Big Ten starter on a potential top-25 defense -- leaves Inge impressed.
"Even when Chris was a quarterback, he knew he still had the dog mindset. For him to come over to defense, it fit him right away."
In case it didn't, coaches delivered a be-physical message.
"We explained to him the law of the jungle -- you either hit or be hit," Inge says. "He prefers to be the hitter.
"It was a good transition for Chris, because he has the mindset and understanding that he knows what contact is. He's never been afraid of contact. Even when he was at quarterback, he didn't have the finesse quarterback mindset. He had the aggressive mindset."
Take blitzing.
"I'm coming," Covington says with a laugh. "When I'm activated, I'm coming and you're going to know I'm coming."
Covington was drawn to linebacker, he says, because "I like the enthusiasm and the physicality you have to bring, the energy you have to bring every day. That's who I am. The position is suited to me."
As for quarterback, he says it suited him because, "I was in control. I was in control of my team. It was all on me. The ball touched my hands on every play. I kind of liked that deal."
Beyond that, he says, "As a quarterback, I felt I had a lot of leadership aspects and a lot of people followed me and believed in me."
Now the leadership and awareness creates defensive advantages.
"It translates to defense, especially playing the Mike (linebacker) position, because you have to know everything about the defense," he says. "You have to know what the corners are doing, what everybody is doing."
Covington's quarterback background is a difference maker, Allen says.
"There's some carryover, leadership-wise. That's No. 1.
"The second thing is just understanding (the) offense perspective. I just think having that (quarterback) experience is nothing but a positive. It's a unique combination. Not a lot of guys have that duel experience to play quarterback in college and linebacker. But I think just more of the game understanding and savvy helps him."
Beyond that, Allen says, "I'm really encouraged by his growth, as well, his leadership. His care factor is extremely high. He's played fast, played physical, and made a lot of plays. We really need him to continue to do that."
Next up is Saturday's game against run-heavy Georgia Southern. The Eagles (0-2) use a triple-option rushing attack that takes extra preparation given it is used so rarely these days.
"They have a lot of great athletes," Covington says. "It's about being physical and fast with this team. We'll have to get out and run, play off the blocks and make plays."
These Hoosiers (1-1) are built to do just that. And with the rest of the Big Ten rapidly approaching -- they resume Big Ten play on Sept. 30 at No. 4 Penn State -- it's time to really start dialing in.
"This defense will improve as the season goes on," Covington says. "You'll see a fast, physical defense that will improve each week. We want to achieve our goals and get into that top 25."
As a linebacker, Covington is right in the middle of that.
He wouldn't want it any other way.
IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Chris Covington insists he won't do it. Indiana's senior linebacker might have some practice fun by throwing a football with the quarterbacks, but to suggest getting a game quarterback moment, to be part of a trick-play offensive concept designed to get defenses into what-the-heck-is-up mode, well, he's not willing to go that far.
"I haven't done that," he says about pitching coaches for one more Cream 'n Crimson passing shot.
Covington was once a quarterback, first at the high school level, then for a season at Indiana, good enough to throw for 31 yards, pass for 91 more in five games as Nate Sudfeld's backup. Injuries and the realization that linebacker was his true calling resulted in a position change that is reaping maximum benefit this season.
Still, while those quarterback instincts fade, they don't disappear.
"In some (practice) periods I'll mess with the quarterbacks while they're doing their little drill and just tossing the ball around," he says. "There's nothing wrong with me still throwing the ball around. I throw it around quite a bit."
Of course, Covington's main focus centers on stuffing running backs, tight ends, receivers and quarterbacks. He's three seasons into the linebacker role, his first as a starting mainstay, and at 6-2 and 230 pounds, potential is everywhere you look.
"For Chris, we're just tapping the surface," linebackers coach William Inge says. "He has unlimited potential, unlimited skill. He has things that a lot of people are looking for -- long body, athleticism, being able to do multiple tasks, and he has a great special teams value. He has a high ceiling."
After two games Covington has 15 tackles. Only All-America Tegray Scales (20) and husky Marcelino Ball (18) have more for the Hoosiers.
Head coach Tom Allen says the Virginia game was the best of Covington's college career. He totaled a career-high eight tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Inge isn't surprised.
"The key for Chris is preparation. Being good is important to him. That's been the biggest thing we've seen. We've seen him be healthy, so now he's able to endure all the linebacker development. That's given him his edge."
Edges can be game changing in a 4-2-5 defensive scheme that relies so much on strong linebacker play.
"He's a big factor," safety Jonathan Crawford says. "We always knew he could come in and play. (Against Virginia) he proved he can set the bar high."
That bar includes pass coverage.
"It's about my technique and taking my coaching as far as it can go," Covington says. "Staying disciplined. As long as I take coaching and take what I learn from Coach Inge and what he teaches about my alignment, my steps, my keys, my eyes, I'll be fine."
Hitting people is crucial to linebackers just as avoiding hits are crucial to quarterbacks. Covington seamlessly transitioned from one to another, in part because he was a high school linebacker as well as a quarterback, in part because, well, it's better to give than to receive.
"The transition for me wasn't tough at all. I wanted to do this. I grew up dreaming about this. This is all I wanted."
Getting what he wanted -- being a Big Ten starter on a potential top-25 defense -- leaves Inge impressed.
"Even when Chris was a quarterback, he knew he still had the dog mindset. For him to come over to defense, it fit him right away."
In case it didn't, coaches delivered a be-physical message.
"We explained to him the law of the jungle -- you either hit or be hit," Inge says. "He prefers to be the hitter.
"It was a good transition for Chris, because he has the mindset and understanding that he knows what contact is. He's never been afraid of contact. Even when he was at quarterback, he didn't have the finesse quarterback mindset. He had the aggressive mindset."
Take blitzing.
"I'm coming," Covington says with a laugh. "When I'm activated, I'm coming and you're going to know I'm coming."
Covington was drawn to linebacker, he says, because "I like the enthusiasm and the physicality you have to bring, the energy you have to bring every day. That's who I am. The position is suited to me."
As for quarterback, he says it suited him because, "I was in control. I was in control of my team. It was all on me. The ball touched my hands on every play. I kind of liked that deal."
Beyond that, he says, "As a quarterback, I felt I had a lot of leadership aspects and a lot of people followed me and believed in me."
Now the leadership and awareness creates defensive advantages.
"It translates to defense, especially playing the Mike (linebacker) position, because you have to know everything about the defense," he says. "You have to know what the corners are doing, what everybody is doing."
Covington's quarterback background is a difference maker, Allen says.
"There's some carryover, leadership-wise. That's No. 1.
"The second thing is just understanding (the) offense perspective. I just think having that (quarterback) experience is nothing but a positive. It's a unique combination. Not a lot of guys have that duel experience to play quarterback in college and linebacker. But I think just more of the game understanding and savvy helps him."
Beyond that, Allen says, "I'm really encouraged by his growth, as well, his leadership. His care factor is extremely high. He's played fast, played physical, and made a lot of plays. We really need him to continue to do that."
Next up is Saturday's game against run-heavy Georgia Southern. The Eagles (0-2) use a triple-option rushing attack that takes extra preparation given it is used so rarely these days.
"They have a lot of great athletes," Covington says. "It's about being physical and fast with this team. We'll have to get out and run, play off the blocks and make plays."
These Hoosiers (1-1) are built to do just that. And with the rest of the Big Ten rapidly approaching -- they resume Big Ten play on Sept. 30 at No. 4 Penn State -- it's time to really start dialing in.
"This defense will improve as the season goes on," Covington says. "You'll see a fast, physical defense that will improve each week. We want to achieve our goals and get into that top 25."
As a linebacker, Covington is right in the middle of that.
He wouldn't want it any other way.
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