Former IU linebacker Chris Covington was drafted into the National Football League on Saturday.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Covington with the 193rd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the 19th selection in the sixth round.
After being recruited as a quarterback, Covington became one of the Hoosiers’ most productive defensive players over the course of his senior season in 2017.
During his freshman year in 2014, Covington appeared in five games at quarterback for the Hoosiers before he suffered a season-ending ACL injury at Iowa.
Three years later in 2017, Covington was one of IU’s starting linebackers alongside Tegray Scales, anchoring the Hoosier defense. He finished the season third on the team in tackles with 85 and second in tackles for loss with 12.
It led to Covington being named IU’s Defensive Player of the Year and honorable mention All-Big Ten this past season.
Leading up to the draft, Covington participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl on January 20. He led his team with nine tackles.
During his junior year in 2016, he appeared in 13 games at linebacker, including an impressive performance in the Foster Farms Bowl. He recorded four tackles and a sack in the Hoosiers’ loss to Utah.
He is the first IU linebacker drafted into the NFL since 1988, when Van Waiters was selected 77th overall by the Cleveland Browns.
Murphy Wheeler
