Covington slows down his process

Charlotte (N.C.) Mallard Creek cornerback Anthony Covington had alluded to a possible decision coming before his school year starts this week. Now, the 5- foot-10, 185-pounder is taking his time as he mulls his options further.

"To be 100% honest with you, I haven't made a decision yet and my door is open. I'm keeping the window open for myself," he said. "I would like to get it narrowed down and I am in a little bit more of a rush than most people since I plan on graduating in December. My timeframe is a little narrower. I'd like to get it done sooner, that's the best case scenario, but I'm focused more on practicing and making sure I perform in the games I need to."

Covington noted that he likely would take at least some of his official visits.

"I'm not sure I'll take all of them, but I think I'll manage to take some."

One school ACC school has recently entered the picture for Covington.

"I took a trip to Virginia Tech about a week and a half or two weeks ago maybe," he said. "That visit probably went a lot smoother than I thought it would go. They are definitely one of the schools I'd be considering along with Pittsburgh, Wake Forest and Minnesota."

Covington elaborated a little further on possible future visits.

"I can say I want to take a few visits," he said. "I want to get back to Virginia Tech since that went very well. I want to get back up to Pittsburgh. I might go up for an official on my bye week as well as to Minnesota."

Despite not offering to this point, Covington believes that this may change in the near future.

"Coach Sherman and a few other guys have seen my film and know who I am," he said. "They said my academics and grades checked out and it's really about making the numbers work. They have two defensive backs committed and a young group of defensive backs to begin with. They are thinking they'll make a decision about it by the end of the summer whether a defensive back may move to wide receiver or safety or something to see how their numbers are going to play out."

Covington claims Tech is definitely a potential team for him.

"If I do get that offer, I would have to put a few more things into consideration," he said. "Virginia Tech from a football standpoint stands for itself. With the amount of defensive backs they have put in the league and the number of bowl games they have competed in and won and the championships. They are a well-known program and any high school player would want to be part of that. They also make sure their athletes are successful; they have a good graduation rate. It's really a good situation; it's pretty much the same as Pittsburgh and Minnesota. With Pittsburgh entering the ACC and Minnesota in the Big Ten, those are situations any college player would want to be a part of."

Despite those programs catching his eye, Covington added he is not focused on any one team.

"There are definitely other teams I'm considering as well," he said.

"I have taken a visit to West Virginia recently. Those are just some of the schools that have peaked my interest and I'm keeping the door open. I don't have a top four or five. I don't want to disrespect anyone and close doors."

Covington discussed some of the difficulties with his upcoming decision.

"The problem with this process is that each program makes you feel like you're missing out on something," he said. "It's a difficult process to go through. It's humbling cause you're fortunate to have these opportunities, but it's about which one I feel more at home with."