Covington, Walker Named Honorable Mention All-America

STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern University’s Chris Covington (Lawrenceville/Brookwood) and Dakota Walker (Mays Landing, N.J./Oakcrest) both received All-America recognition by The Sports Network, as announced Tuesday (Jan. 6). Covington, a senior linebacker, and Walker, a senior defensive end, were tabbed Honorable Mention All-America.

They were both recently named to the College Sporting News Honorable Mention ‘Fabulous Fifty’ squad. Their honor extends the program’s streak of having at least one All-America selection every year since 1985.

Covington, who has also been named Second Team All-America by the Associated Press and Southern Conference ‘Defensive Player of the Year’, earned his second All-America honor in two years playing on defense. In 2007 he again earned Honorable Mention accolades from The Sports Network but as a defensive back.

This year he began at rover but in week five moved to linebacker for the first time in his collegiate career. He responded with a career-high 19 tackles against Wofford. Covington averaged 11.7 tackles per game in his linebacker role, 8.6 overall (95 in 11 games) to tie him for 52nd nationally.

He finished the year ranked fifth among the SoCon leaders in tackles per game, third in total sacks (6.5, tied 38th nationally) and second in tackles for a loss (14.0, tied 40th). Five times this season Covington recorded 11 or more tackles in a game. He registered a career-high 3.0 sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss against Appalachian State. A two-time All-Southern Conference pick, Covington led all active Georgia Southern players with 171 tackles in just two years.

Earning his first All-America award, Walker dominated the opposing offensive lines from his defensive end position. He finished the 2008 campaign as the league-leader in sacks (8.5 for 66 yards) and tackles for a loss (17.5 for 81 yards). Among the national leaders, Walker is tied for 14th in sacks and 13th in TFL. He was fourth on the team making 55 tackles, forced three fumbles and recovered a fumble for a 78-yard touchdown against Wofford. Walker also blocked a kick at The Citadel.

He recorded three sacks and forced a fumble in the record-setting (largest fourth quarter comeback in NCAA FCS history/28 points in 11 minutes) win at Western Carolina. Two of his three sacks came during Western’s drive in overtime to help seal the win. He followed that with 5.0 tackles for a loss (2.0 sacks) and two forced fumbles during the triple-overtime win at The Citadel.

Category: Football

Published on Tuesday, 06 January 2009 00:06