College Career
Covert entered the University of Pittsburgh as a defensive lineman. He played in every game his freshman season, primarily in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Covert received a medical red-shirt in 1979 due to a persistent shoulder injury that required surgery. In the spring of 1980, Covert was switched to offensive left tackle where he started for the next three seasons.
Coached by legendary offensive line coach Joe Moore, the 1980 Panthers offensive line featured Covert, Rob Fada, and Paul Dunn sharing the left guard duties; Russ Grimm at center; Emil Boures at right guard; and Mark May at right tackle. The Panthers finished the 1980 season with a record of 10-1 and ended the season with a Gator Bowl victory over South Carolina. The 1980 Pitt Panthers also featured four future College Football Hall of Fame inductees: Covert, Dan Marino, Hugh Green, and May. The following year, 1981 Pitt Panthers finished 10-1 again and beat Georgia in a last-minute victory in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. In both 1980 and 1981 the Panthers finished the season ranked number 2 in the national polls.
In 1982, Pitt finished a disappointing 9-2 despite being ranked number 1 in the preseason. The Panthers eventually lost to Southern Methodist University in the Cotton Bowl 7-3. An Outland Trophy candidate in 1982, Covert earned first team All-America honors in both his junior and senior campaigns, achieving consensus All-America as a senior. Covert played in both the Hula Bowl and Senior Bowl, which capped his college career.
Covert was named to the University of Pittsburgh All-Time Team. He was also elected to the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame, Class of 2003.
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