BYU football: Covey excited about catching passes for Y.

PROVO — Growing up, Stephen Covey dreamed of becoming a BYU quarterback.

But after serving as the third-string, and scout team, QB last season, Covey approached Cougar coaches and asked for a switch to wide receiver.

"That was always my dream, to play quarterback at BYU," said the former Timpview High star. "But honestly, I just have a greater desire just to get on the field this year. I don't want to wait another year to do that. I just want to help."

While he has been going through that transition during spring drills, there's still a chance that Covey — whose uncle, Sean, started for the Cougars at quarterback in the late 1980s — could take some snaps.

"I haven't completely given up my dream at quarterback," he said.

There's talk among coaches, Covey said, that during fall camp, some option packages and change-of-pace packages could be installed that would involve the speedy sophomore.

"They're considering it greatly," said Covey, who wears No. 12. "I still think I'll have a chance to (play quarterback)."

For now, though, Covey is a full-fledged receiver, playing the "H" receiver spot. It hasn't always been easy learning a position he's never played before.

"I've really enjoyed it this spring. It's been going good," said Covey. "It's pretty difficult going from quarterback to receiver. Mentally, it's easier. Physically, it's been a lot harder. The hardest adjustment is learning how to run routes in the correct way and adjusting your routes to coverages and what the defense is putting up against you. There's a lot of things you have to do."

Toward the end of last season, Covey began entertaining the idea of changing positions. He consulted at length with his father, Stephen. "We weighed the pros and cons, and through talking to him, I came to the decision that this would be the best for me. I felt that I would have the best opportunity to play by switching to H receiver. In my eyes, I see it as the best way I can help contribute to the team and get on the field faster than if I had stayed at quarterback and been the third guy all year."

At Timpview, Covey led the Thunderbirds to a 22-3 record in two seasons and they won the state championship in 2004. He proved to be a dangerous dual threat, passing for 2,503 yards and 31 touchdowns while rushing 120 times for 958 yards and 11 TDs as a senior.

But as a redshirt freshman at BYU in 2005, Covey played defensive back for the scout team.

"When he was recruited here, we needed a defensive back. That was our biggest need," said coach Bronco Mendenhall. "He agreed to play that, and I promised him he'd have the chance to play quarterback when he came off of his mission. Last year was his opportunity to do that."

Mendenhall appreciates Covey's desire to help the program.