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SALT LAKE CITY — He's a true freshman and he's smaller than most receivers. Don't tell him he can't do it or that he's not big enough to play because he's already broken through the defense and has made big gains while pushing defenders to the side or juking them out of their shoes.
He's also become one of Utah's most consistent offensive weapons.
Standout receiver Britain Covey has been a consistent threat in both of Utah's games and has opened up an option inside that middle that allows the offense to pick up some chunk yardage and move the offense effectively. While he's an easy, guaranteed dump-off option if the primary receiver is covered, he's also becoming one of the best first options Utah has to target.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham calls him "tremendous" and is simply grateful to have a guy who is ready to make plays in any capacity he's called upon.
"I can't say enough good things about Britain Covey and what he's brought to our football team," Whittingham said following Utah's 24-14 win over Utah State Friday.
Covey, though, says he's just a competitor and wants to win no matter what it takes. He says he visualizes the game — every catch, every snap — prior to kickoff and feels as though he's "already done it" before he makes the play on the actual field.
Early in Friday's game, Covey sustained a hard hit to the head in the end zone after helping Utah's offense pick apart the Aggies' defense in a successful drive. The hit resulted in an ejection for the Utah State player, Marwin Evans, and a scary situation for the young receiver. But Covey bounced back shortly thereafter, after being checked out in the locker room, and continued to compete as normal.
"I think it probably looked worse than it was," he said after the game. "It just kinda strained my neck."
Covey, too, refused to give up on punt returns, despite the swarm of Utah State players consistently around him. Instead of calling a fair catch when it would be generally advised, Covey believed he had the outside edge and wanted to "finally break one," even if it made those in attendance grimace in fear every time he failed to take the safe route.
"I wasn't calling any fair catches because I saw a great opportunity to get outside on these guys, but we didn't quite get it tonight," he said.
"He's tough as nails. That kid is so tough and you'd like him to be smart with his decisions back there, but he just wants to make plays," Whittingham said. "He's trying to do everything he can to spark the football team. Sometimes you've got to put the hand up there to fair catch — he doesn't like fair catching — but there's times you've got to force yourself to do."
But Covey kept attempting the punt return no matter how daunting or impossible the task seemed. And on one opportunity, Covey got his shot and broke free from defenders, made players miss tackles and exploited the outside for a 30-yard gain in the fourth quarter. The great field position led to an eventual 37-yard field goal by Andy Phillips to give Utah a 10-point lead.
All Covey could say was, "It was nice to finally break one and get outside."
"He probably should have (called a fair catch) on the big one he busted," Whittingham said. "The guy was smothering him — right on top of him — but he broke that tackle and he was able to get the ball down (the field).
"That one punt return, he basically did that all on his own, breaking tackles," Whittingham added. "He's going to be a weapon for us this year and a great addition to our team as a receiver and as well as a punt returner."
Covey finished the game with 61 receiving yards on six catches, averaging 10.2 yards per catch, and was the team's leading receiver for the second game in a row. Covey averages 10.8 yards per catch in two games and looks to continue to be a strong factor with Utah's offense and on special teams.
"I think it's the coaches putting me in great positions and putting the team in a great position," Covey said. "We have amazing tools on offense that kind of take the pressure off each other. Obviously people are focusing on (Devontae Booker), people are focusing on (Kenneth Scott). That leaves opportunities for other guys to step up, so I'm happy to do it."
