Rated as the number-one prospect in the Canadian Football League (CFL) Draft, Surrey’s Christian Covington didn’t have his name called until the fifth round.
The defensive lineman was drafted 43rd overall by the B.C. Lions Tuesday night, who took a chance with their selection. Two weeks ago, Covington was drafted in the sixth round of the National Football League Draft by the Houston Texans and will attempt to crack their roster this season.
“I’m looking to play football. My dream is to play professional football,” Covington said before the two drafts. “My dream just so happens to be the NFL.”
The son of CFL Hall of Famer Grover Covington, Christian has played at Rice University in Houston, Texas for the past three seasons. Last year, he had 20 tackles including three sacks in seven games before a knee injury ended his junior season.
Covington hasn’t ruled out following in his father’s footsteps and playing in Canada, but adds he will make every attempt to build a career in the United States.
“I know who my dad was. I know what type of league the CFL is, and I have a lot of respect for the CFL,” he said. “I have old classmates and teammates who play in the CFL.
“If at the end of the day, the NFL doesn’t work out for me, I have that to go back to.”