BUCCS PROFESSIONAL AND COLLEGE PLAYERS
Two former Covington Buccaneers advanced to the professional level and several more played college football to establish great football careers.
PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS
TIM VOGLER – 1975 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Tim Vogler, a 1975 Covington Graduate, was acquired by the Buffalo Bills of the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 1979. He played ten seasons, appearing in 117 games for the Bills at nearly every offensive line position throughout his career.
“I never really thought about playing professional ball, but in my senior year there was a lot of talk about me,” Tim said. “I thought maybe I would get drafted, but that didn’t happen, so I had three teams looking at me as an undrafted free agent – the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Oakland Raiders and the Buffalo Bills.”
Tim ultimately chose to play for the Buffalo Bills, which surprised family and friends.
“I chose the Bills and I had people telling me I was crazy,” he continued. “They were like, heck, why would you choose Buffalo over Pittsburgh and Oakland? I was like, well, the Bills suck and maybe I’ll get a chance to play. I was a center coming out of college and you know Pittsburgh had a guy named Mike Webster who wasn’t going anywhere and they just won a couple of Super Bowls. The Raiders, well they were the Raiders – had a couple of Super Bowls, so I figured my best chance to play was with the Buffalo Bills.”
Tim’s intuition was right as he made the team as an undrafted free agent and saw playing time on special teams and eventually was in the rotation as a backup offensive lineman.
But there was some frustration in the first half of an eventual eleven-year career.
“I had climbed up the depth chart and by my fourth or fifth year I felt I was better than the two guys playing at guard and the guy who was at center,” he explained. “I went in and told them that I felt I was better than those guys and they basically agreed with me, but they told me they needed me as a rotational guy because I could play all three positions and it allowed them to keep one less offensive lineman on the roster. So, I asked them to pay me as a starter since I’m better than the starter and they told me ‘No’. Basically, I couldn’t do anything about it or go anywhere else because the only way you could go to another team at the time was if you were traded or cut and they weren’t going to do either with me.”
The turning point came prior to Tim’s sixth season with former Hall of Fame player and new line coach Jim Ringo, who played for legendary coach Vince Lombardi in Green Bay.
“Ringo basically said the best players were going to play or you’re out of here and I was excited about that,” Tim continued. “I knew I was good enough to start in the league – if not in Buffalo than somewhere else. I ended up earning the starting job and started pretty much the rest of my career.”
All with Buffalo, which was on the cusp of greatness when Tim’s career came to an end due to an injury in 1989.
“Later in my career we had a lot of great players – Jim Kelly, Thurmond Thomas – all those guys,” he said. “We were close to getting to the show (Super Bowl) when my career ended. They (the Bills) made it to the Super Bowl the year after I had to retire.”
A.J. OUELLETTE – 2014 COVINGTON GRADUATE
A.J. Ouellette, a 2014 graduate of Covington High School, began his professional career invited to try out for the New Orleans Saints during the Rookie Mini Camp and spent time with the Cleveland Browns in 2019. He also had tryouts with the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs. A.J. joined the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League in 2019, making Ouellette the second Covington alumnus (Tim Vogler) to play professional sports. In 2022, Ouellette led the Argonauts to the Grey Cup Championship by scoring two touchdowns in a 24-23 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the championship game. He was also an Eastern Division All-Star selection at running back in 2022 and again in 2023 after compiling 1009 rushing yards, 1172 total yards and 11 touchdowns. Ouellette became a free agent after the 2023 season and signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, where he became the highest paid running back in the CFL in 2024. In his second year at Saskatchewan, A.J. captured the second Grey Cup Championship in his career with a 25-17 victory over Montreal. Throughout the entire 2025 season he tallied 1418 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYERS
NOTE: If there are any former Buccaneers football players missing on this list who played at the collegiate level, please provide information to be added.
DAVE BEARD – 1948 GRADUATE
Dave Beard, a 1948 Covington Graduate, was the first Buccaneer to score a touchdown in the modern era of Covington Football in 1947. He went on and played his college football career as Heidelberg College. He is a member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
BOB HARTLEY – 1961 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Bob Hartley was a terror on the field for the Covington Buccaneers. He was a member of the 1960 team the finished undefeated. Bob played college football at Ohio State and the University of Dayton. Bob is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
LARRY WARNER – 1961 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Larry Warner was a member of the 1960 State Championship team that finished undefeated. He also played college football at the University of Dayton. Larry is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
GENE LAUGHMAN – 1964 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Gene Laughman played his college football at Wittenberg University and during his college career he set several passing records for the Tigers. Gene is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
KENT THOMPSON – 1966 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Kent Thompson was an outstanding football player at the collegiate level at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Kent is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
TIM VOGLER – 1975 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Tim Vogler played college football at Ohio State University where he was a team captain during his senior season in 1978. He was the starting center for the Buckeyes, who were coached by legendary Woody Hayes. Tim is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
TERRY VOGLER – 1975 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Terry Vogler played college football at Ohio State University from 1975 to 1978 as a linebacker for the Buckeyes, who were coached by legendary Woody Hayes. Terry is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
DOUG SWARTZ – 1975 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Doug Swartz, who was a member of the great 1973 and 1974 Buccaneer football teams, played college football at Capital University. Doug is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
STEVE PENNINGTON – 1975 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Steve Pennington, who was a member of the great 1973 and 1974 Buccaneer football teams with three other players who advanced to the collegiate level, played college football at Capital University. Steve is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
DAVE TOBIAS – 1980 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Dave Tobias, who was the quarterback and defensive back that helped lead the Buccs to the state final in 1979, played college football at Wittenberg University. For the Tigers, Tobias was the starting quarterback and lettered three years in his college career. Dave Tobias is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
JOE SCHMIDT – 1980 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Joe Schmidt was the fourth Buccaneer in the history of the program to earn a spot on the Ohio State Buckeyes football team after graduating high school. He was a key player as a running back and linebacker in leading the Buccs to the 1979 state finals. During that game he broke the state finals record with a 91-yard touchdown run. Joe is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
KEVIN FINFROCK – 1981 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Kevin Finfrock played college football at Defiance, where he excelled as a running back and return specialist. At Defiance, he was NAIA All American as a Sophomore, Junior and Senior. He was also named Defiance College Male Athlete of the Year in 1984 and 1985. He also had a NFL tryout with the Dallas Cowboys. Kevin is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
MATT POND – 1986 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Matt Pond was a standout quarterback and defensive back for the Covington Buccaneers where he helped lead his team to the state semi-finals in 1985. Pond went on to play football collegiately at the United States Naval Academy and the University of Dayton after graduating from Covington High School in 1986.
BRIAN OLSON – 1987 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Brian Olson played college football at the University of Dayton. During his collegiate career at the Dayton Flyers, he was a member of the National Championship Team. Brian is also member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
MATT WEIKERT – 1997 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Matt Weikert excelled at the collegiate level for Ohio University. At 6-3 and 225-230 pounds, he excelled as an outside linebacker for the Ohio Bobcats. He was named second team All-MAC his junior season and was a dominant player his senior season despite battling the effects of a torn ACL he suffered as a sophomore. He recorded 57 total tackles, 37 solo tackles, 5 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks his senior season and played in all 11 games. He had a season high 12 tackles against Bowling Green. He also had an NFL tryout with the Indianapolis Colts and is a member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
JORDAN SHAFER – 2003 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Jordan Shafer, a senior on the 2002 Buccaneer football team, extended his football career at Morehead State University where he was a four-year letter winner and a three-year starter at Safety for the Eagles. During his time at Morehead State, Jordan overcame a serious knee injury and played in three PFL Championship games.
BRADY RECK – 2004 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Brady Reck was a standout quarterback at Covington and advanced to the collegiate level at Ohio Dominican University. As a quarterback, the standout of his career led the Ohio Domincan Panthers to their first victory in school history. Reck threw for 2 first quarter touchdowns to spark a 28-0 lead. Reck, a sophomore at ODU, threw for 255 yards on 18 of 30 passing in the Panther’s 49-33 win over Campbellsville University. He also threw for 3 touchdowns and connected on 60% of his passes. His overall football experience at ODU was impressive.
JARED HAGUE – 2004 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Jared Hague had a great career in Covington as a tight end and linebacker as he was part of team who finished 10-0 in the regular season in all four straight years. He moved on to the collegiate level at Ohio Dominican University as a tight end and played with his high school quarterback friend, Brady Reck. Hague helped the program capture the first win in the school history in 2004.
MATT FULKS – 2005 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Matt Fulks , a 2005 Covington graduate, played at Ohio Northern University as a kicker. The highlight of his collegiate career was when he had an impact in a dominating 48-3 victory over Westminster with two successful kicks.
CJ POTTER – 2006 COVINGTON GRADUATE
2006 Covington graduate CJ Potter continued his football career at the collegiate level at Wilmington College. Potter was a three-year letterman and a standout offensive and defensive lineman for the Buccaneers. At Wilmington, Potter played on the offensive line for the Quakers.
GARRETT CLARK – 2010 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Garrett Clark moved on to play at the collegiate level at Ohio Northern University for 2010 to 2013. Garrett played at running back in his first two seasons for the Polar Bears and then moved to defensive back in his junior and senior seasons where he played in 19 games. He also contributed greatly on special teams highlighted by a blocked punt in the fourth quarter against John Carroll to help seal a victory.
JAKE STEWART – 2011 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Jake Stewart, a 2011 Covington Graduate, played college football at Otterbein from 2011 to 2014. He was a three-year letterman as a quarterback for the Cardinals in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and earned a participation award as a freshman in 2011.
TRENT TOBIAS – 2013 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Trent Tobias went on to play for four years at Otterbein University where he was a wide receiver for the Cardinals. At Covington, Trent was a multi-dimensional player at quarterback, halfback, safety and corner. His versatility translated well at the collegiate level where he also contributed on special teams.
DALTON BORDELON – 2014 COVINGTON GRADUATE
On the football field Bordelon was a terror for the Covington Buccaneers, earning the nickname “Psycho” from his teammates for his crazed abandoned effort. He carried his passion for the game to the collegiate level at Division III Mount St. Joseph.
A.J. OUELLETTE – 2014 COVINGTON GRADUATE
After shattering many records in high school, A.J. Ouellette went on to have a stellar career at Ohio University and ultimately became only the second athlete in Covington history to play at the professional level with stints in the NFL at New Orleans and Cleveland and then in the CFL at Toronto and Saskatchewan. As a member of the Bobcats, A.J. was a four year starting running back, who rushed for 3829 yards, which was third in the history of the program. He rushed for over 1000 yards in two seasons and is also fourth in the team history with 27 career touchdowns. A.J. is a member of the Covington Athletic Hall of Fame.
JORDAN WOLFE – 2014 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Jordan Wolfe went on to play college football for four years at Bluffton University where he was named to the 2018 NFF Honor Society by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame for his outstanding performance on the football field and in the classroom.
BRANDON MAGEE – 2016 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Brandon Magee continued his football career at Heidelberg University where he enjoyed an outstanding career. As a freshman and sophomore in 2016 and 2017 Magee played on the defensive line, but was moved to outside linebacker in 2018 and 2019 to take advantage of his speed and athleticism. In all, Magee played in 31 games and registered 39 tackle, and 2.5 sacks.
BRANDEN ROBINSON – 2017 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Branden Robinson, a 2017 Covington graduate who was a four-year letterman as a receiver, defensive back, return specialist and kicker for the Buccs, earned a spot on the Ball State University football team as a walk-on. In his time in the Cardinals’ program, Branden was a slot receiver. He became the ninth player in Buccaneer history to earn a spot in a Division I football program at the collegiate level.
TY FREEMAN – 2018 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Ty Freeman, who is a 2018 graduate at Covington, went on to play college football at Heidelberg University where he started at corner from the get-go as a freshman – overcoming the odds on a team consisting of approximately 130 players. Freeman’s success at the collegiate level was due to his values of hard work and team-first mentality.
CADE SCHMELZER – 2020 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Cade Schmelzer set many passing records during this career at Covington High School with the most passing yards in a career with 5182, most passing touchdowns in a career with 55 and most passing yards in a season with 2233. He went on to play collegiately at Wittenburg University. His first season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, but Schmelzer saw playing time at defensive back, which started in 2021 as a sophomore.
ANDREW CATES – 2020 COVINGTON GRADUATE
After a stellar high school career at Covington, Andrew went on to play collage football at the University of Findlay where he played wide receiver for the Oilers. At Covington, Cates set school records for most career receiving yards with 1832 and career receptions with 103. The records were broken in 2025.
TRENTIN ALEXANDER – 2021 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Trentin was a three-year starter for for the Buccaneers where he tallied 3400 yards on 318 carries and score 21 touchdowns in his career at Covington. Trentin was also a state qualifier in wrestling and played baseball for three years and track for one season. After graduation, Trentin continued his football career at Wilmington College where he played running back for the Quakers.
GARRETT LEISTNER – 2025 COVINGTON GRADUATE
Garrett Leistner was a four-year starter at Covington throughout his high school career and advanced to the collegiate level at Ohio Northern University. He began his freshman season with the Polar Bears in 2025 as a linebacker and is working on his major in Civil Engineering.