Utah WR Britain Covey taking Mormon mission after 2015 season

Utah freshman wide receiver Britain Covey will be leaving the team for a Mormon mission after the 2015 season.

Covey posted the news to his Twitter account Monday evening. Missions typically last two years. Covey, who is 18, could return to the team after his mission is complete.

Covey is Utah's top punt returner and the team's second-leading receiver this season. He has 17 catches for 182 yards and two touchdowns and 10 punt returns for 169 yards and a touchdown. A native of Utah, BYU was also recruiting him. He chose Utah because the Utes offered him first.

His decision to go on the mission after playing a year of football isn't a surprise. He told the Provo Daily Herald in January that he was going to play football for a season before he left. The news is just a bit bigger now that Covey has made such an impact as a freshman and Utah is currently undefeated and ranked in the top five.

Missions are typically served by young adults shortly after high school. Many players for Utah and BYU have played college football after serving their missions. BYU quarterback Tanner Mangum is a 22-year-old freshman after he went on his mission following a grayshirt year at BYU.

Covey moved to wide receiver at Utah after he played quarterback in high school. He had 56 total touchdowns in 2014 playing quarterback as he led his team to the class 4A state championship.

For more Utah news, visit UteZone.com.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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