Team approach for Covington

There are no win-loss records kept in spring drills and the final scores of spring games do not officially hit the record books. But for potential college prospects, there can be added pressure to perform. Yet for Lovejoy (Hampton, Ga.) High School offensive lineman Jamal Covington, the main focus should always revolve around the team aspect.

The 6-foot-4 and 270-pound rising senior witnessed numerous coaches at spring sessions, including a couple of SEC schools.

"We had our spring game last Friday and I had a pretty good game and it was just an intra-squad game," said Covington. "I had six or seven pancake blocks and had a successful spring and a lot more colleges know about me now.

"Schools like Georgia and Mississippi State came by and Southern Miss came by twice. Then Central Florida, Michigan State, Georgia Tech, Memphis and Florida Atlantic came by. It was real exciting to see all those coaches checking me out but I kept my focus on my team. I knew I had to do my best but there was not a lot of pressure. I just had to play well at left tackle for my team and not worry about who was there."

Of the schools showing him interest, Covington believes his first scholarship offer could be right around the corner.

"I think Mississippi State is real close and I would probably say, though, that Southern Miss is the closest to offering me," said Covington. "I talk to Southern Miss almost every day and then I talk the next most with Mississippi State. Central Florida and Kentucky are also in contact with me a lot, too."

This summer, Covington said he plans to attend camps at MSU, Georgia, Southern Miss, Central Florida and "probably" Vanderbilt, too.

And among those schools showing him the most interest, Covington is preferring a pair of Magnolia State programs.

"I really like Southern Miss and I like the relationship I have with them," said Covington. "I could see myself playing there, for sure. Then I also like Mississippi State and I also like Kentucky. Coach (John) Hevesy at Mississippi State is a cool dude and I like him as a coach."