Damarqueaz "Dee" Covey '19 Recruiting Profile

I was a multi-sport athlete, the key word being "was". I have long played baseball and football, and even played a little basketball. I have always loved the game of baseball, but was good at football, and my biological family was filled men that played collegiately to include my cousin C.J. Spiller. I have had my share of injuries including surgery to repair my ACL in the fall of 2016. I came back stronger than ever post-op squatting over 500lbs and running a 4.6 forty in the spring of 2017. I fully had planned to be a baseball only athlete from that point on, but after being convinced by the current head football coach I decided to play my junior year. When people see my body type they make assumptions, "oh he is a power back", well not really if you watch my film I am a space player always have been. I was moved to outside linebacker because I refused to attempt to run head on into our D-1 commit 255lb linebacker, who is committed a defensive end. I embarrassed him in Oklahoma Drills making him miss inside of the dummies. I was told I was a "baseball player" and I was "soft" and moved to defense. I played outside linebacker for three games where I struggled because I am 5'6 and was playing walked up against offensive tackles. The final straw was before game four of my junior they attempted to move me to defensive tackle. I am three year varsity baseball starter, I have offers and about fifty schools I am in contact with and growing. I play for the National Cross-Checker for the San Diego Padres and attended the MLB/USA Breakthrough Series, which required an MLB Scout recommendation and only 64 players from 2019 and 2020 classes were invited. My point is I am not soft, I am who I am as a player, I had the highest strength index at Newberry regardless of sport, and I have speed. I am willing to play football at the next level, I am just not willing to risk my opportunities at the next level, to wear a football jersey down the hallways on Fridays. If this scares you off it was not the right fit for me anyways.