Furman: All-Southern Conference performer who returns for his third season of starting duty at right guard...rated as the No. 6 guard in NCAA I-AA by The Sports Network...joins center Corey Stewart and left guard Brian Laggis in forming a contingent of three returning regulars along the offensive front...will serve as a team captain this fall. 2004 -- Garnered second team All-Southern Conference honors in voting by league media after working his way through an injury plagued season...on 516 plays posted a season blocking grade of 1.94 (88.0 percent)...earned starts at right guard in the first three games before sustaining a knee injury in a 38-6 win over Gardner-Webb...sat out the next four games before returning to the starting lineup for the final six contests...earned winning grades in all nine games, including a pair of 1.98 marks against Georgia Southern (29-22 win) and Samford (45-10 win)...totaled 48 knockdown blocks, including a season high nine in a 52-7 win over Presbyterian...played a key role in the Paladins' 10-3, SoCon championship season that included an NCAA I-AA quarterfinal playoff appearance and No. 5 final national ranking...helped power the most balanced offense in Furman history that averaged 454.9 yards per game. 2003 -- Fashioned a solid inaugural season as a starter, earning the nod at right guard in all 11 games...was in on 660 snaps and posted a season blocking grade of 1.89 (85.0 percent)...notched a unit high 74 knockdowns...recorded winning grades in nine contests, including a season high exceptional mark of 2.00 versus Chattanooga (63-21 win)...helped pave the way for all-conference tailback Hindley Brigham (1,042 yards). 2002 -- Saw action in all 12 games... served as the team's short snapper and appeared in six games as a backup offensive guard...registered a season high 29 plays versus Elon (57-7 win)...played a key role in Furman placekicker Danny Marshall converting 12-of-15 field goals and 39-of-42 PATs. High School: 2002 graduate of Myers Park High School...played on both offensive and defensive lines while there...three-year starter...served as team captain and garnered team most outstanding lineman award, All-Mecklenburg County, and All-Southwestern AAAA Conference honors as a senior...in all was a three-time all-conference selection at Myers Park, including his sophomore season when he helped lead his team to a 9-3 record and into the state playoffs...football coach was Tommy Strahan...also played baseball and competed in track & field. Personal: Full name is Patrick Alexander Covington...son of Margaret and Dwight Covington...born January 1, 1984, in Charlotte, North Carolina...father was an offensive and defensive lineman at Western Carolina from 1975-79...political science major.