6 things to know about new Rams WR Britain Covey, the NFL's top punt returner in 2023
6 things to know about new Rams WR Britain Covey, the NFL's top punt returner in 2023
The Los Angeles Rams added another return specialist and wide receiver to their roster on Monday when they signed Britain Covey to a one-year deal. Covey spent the last three years with the Eagles, primarily contributing as a returner in Philadelphia.
He'll now try to make the Rams' roster this offseason, potentially helping out on offense and special teams.
Here are six things to know about the Rams' newest addition to the roster.
He grew up in the same city as Puka Nacua
Covey and Nacua have one thing in common: They're both from Provo, Utah. Covey is 5 years older than Nacua and attended a different high school (Timpview) but they both have ties to Provo.
While Nacua was actually born in Las Vegas and grew up in Provo, Covey was born and raised in the city. He attended the University of Utah after graduating high school, staying close to home.
He was an outstanding high school QB, going 26-0 as a starter
Covey was only a starter in high school for two years but he certainly made them count. As Timpview's starting QB, he went a perfect 26-0, won back-to-back state championships, threw 56 touchdown passes and had 4,492 passing yards and was named Utah Valley Football Player of the Year twice.
He did a lot of his damage on the ground, too, rushing for 2,904 yards and 44 touchdowns. In his career, he scored 111 total touchdowns.
He was a first-team All-American returner in 2021
Covey had an instant impact at Utah, earning Freshman All-American honors in his first year when he led the Utes in receiving with 519 yards on 43 catches. He was also an honorable mention All-Pac 12 and had a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown as a freshman.
After missing two years for an LDS religious mission in Chile, he returned to Utah in 2018 and picked up right where he left off. He was first-team All-Pac 12 as a returner in 2018, 2020 and 2021, also earning first-team All-American honors in his final season in 2021. He had three return touchdowns that year, all from at least 78 yards out.
He's Utah's all-time leading punt returner
As good as Covey was on offense, he was especially impactful as a returner. He finished his career at Utah as the school's all-time leader with 1,092 punt return yards, scoring five total return touchdowns.
His best season came in 2021 when he had 29 punt returns for 427 yards and two touchdowns, also returning a kickoff 97 yards for a score.
He led the NFL in punt return yards in 2023
Covey earned a spot on the Eagles' roster after going undrafted in 2022 because of his return skills. He returned 33 punts as a rookie in 2022, along with 10 kickoffs, totaling 514 all-purpose yards in his first year.
He came back in 2023 and was even better, returning 29 punts for an NFL-leading 417 yards with a long of 54 yards. He's still waiting to score his first NFL touchdown but with his elusiveness, he could return a kick to the house at some point soon.
He won Super Bowl LIX last season with the Eagles
Covey didn't play in the Super Bowl and was limited to just five games, but he was still a member of the Eagles' championship squad. He caught seven passes for 34 yards in 2024 and returned six punts for 46 yards. He had two stints on the injured reserve list, which limited his availability significantly.
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