Lengthy LB Eric Gentry standing out as USC approaches opener
The 6-foot-6 Gentry has made a dominant first impression since transferring from ASU…
Adam Grosbard (OC Register) — LOS ANGELES — During USC’s first scrimmage of training camp, quarterback Caleb Williams made a small but fatal mistake on a play.
As he lined up for the snap, he did not take into account the personnel that had just come onto the field. Namely, he didn’t realize that 6-foot-6 inside linebacker Eric Gentry (18) was across from him.
So when Williams tried to throw the ball to his receiver, it wound up in the outstretched arms of Gentry.
“He’s difficult to get the ball over,” Williams said after practice Wednesday. “I’m glad we have him on our team.”
Even in a sea of cardinal helmets, Gentry has been hard to miss at USC camp. He is the tallest member of the defense, but at 200 pounds has fully filled out his frame. And he stands four inches taller than any other member of the inside linebacker unit.
Needless to say, it’s a little unorthodox for a player of his size to play his position, but Gentry feels like it gives him certain advantages.
“See over the line. Go at different pass lanes. Disrupt different passes. Get off blocks easily,” Gentry said Wednesday. “Just try to be mentally understanding that it’s not only about my length and everything and speed, just bringing physicality and a lot of people were shocked by how physical I am with different stuff.”
Gentry is new to USC, even by the standards of many of the imports at the start of the Lincoln Riley era. He transferred to USC after spending his freshman year at Arizona State, and spring practice had already ended.
Riley and defensive coordinator Alex Grinch sold Gentry on their ability to use his dynamic athleticism to their advantage. He was also drawn to USC’s history, and a fresh start amid the tumult in Tempe.
So fall camp represented Gentry’s first real opportunity to play within the USC system. Even through 10 practices, linebackers coach Brian Odom was impressed last week with how much Gentry was picking up.
“We’ve pushed the envelope in terms of him getting reps and trying to force feed him those reps,” Odom said. “He brings a different element for sure. When he can get on the same page as these guys – which he’s improving every day on the mental aspect of it – I’m excited about his future.”
Gentry comes with some positive experiences from his time at ASU. He was a consensus Freshman All-American after recording 45 tackles in 10 games, starting the final three of the season.
He still has more to learn, and Odom spoke on Wednesday about wanting to see more consistency from the sophomore as he digests the defense.
But even still, as USC has scrimmaged and practiced this fall, Gentry has made an impression, and not just due to his height.
“His length and playmaking ability and nose for the ball really stick out, they do,” Riley said last week. “He’s just rare to have a guy on your defense that has that type of length but also that type of athleticism. I mean, you love it defensively. You love his instincts and he’s getting more comfortable in our system, making less mistakes each day.”
ocregister.com
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There are I think only two starters from the 2021 team still on D, Ralen Goforth at LB and Tui at DL. Based on what we are reading, looks like Goforth is going to play 2nd team. With that being the case 10 of 11 starters of the Cat’s 2021 opening line up are either gone or not starting. Talk about roster turn over! The 2 deep is a little better than this, but not much.
Don’t forget last years best defensive player, Callen Bullock. For sure he will start.
You’re an opposing quarterback and Gentry sheds his block. He’s bearing down on you but hasn’t raised his arms. What do you do?
I’m hoping for an attempt to throw it over him. I’d love a few stuff sacks and interceptions behind the line.
I see #18’s tipped passes over the middle galore. Maybe even a pick-six or two.
Future NFL HOFame OT Tyron Smith goes down for Dallas with a knee avulsion fracture and a torn hamstring and is a sure bet to miss the season.
It’s gonna be another bad year for outdated/feeble Dallas (Jerry Jones is approaching decrepit Al Davis territory), always the most amazingly popular NFL team despite years and years of utter futility.
I think the Cowboys took this into account and drafted an OT in the 1st round.
You must love perpetual Cowboy honk Skip Bayless.
He laughably thinks Dallas is better off with a completely unproven 24th pick 1st rounder instead of Smith, who’s admittedly always hurt. That’s Dallas for you. Sure Skippee.
Their coach stinks and Jerry Jones thinks making the POs means he’s a success. They’ll be lucky to win one PO game as usual.
Of all the new players on this team, on defense I am anxious to see Eric Gentry make plays at the linebacker position and even see him do some edge rushing around the end with his speed & height. He could become the type of player the opponents QB has to locate where he lines up on each play and make changes at the LOS. What an asset that would be?
Chris Vannini (The Athletic) ranks USC at #14.
The Pac-12, and USC’s 2022 opponents, come in as follows:
5 UTAH
7 ND
12 ORE
14 USC — “Consider me buying the USC hype with Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams, just not as a Playoff contender yet. The real question is if the Trojans can stand up in the trenches.”
25 FRESNO ST
38 UCLA
41 WSU
49 ORE ST
68 CAL
69 STAN
72 UW
73 ASU
86 ARIZ
92 CU
117 RICE
theathletic.com
Two teams underrated, Ore St and Fresno St.
My favorite part is Fresno St. being ranked 13 spots above Belair tech.
Rialto, UCLA played Fresno State last year and lost. I think UCLA is not as good as they were last year and Fresno is at least as good.
Most exciting game of the year last season.
Bru-Babies start the season with 3 tough teams…1st Bowling Green, then they must survive the Alabama’s the ever dominate Bama State and extremely dangerous Jaguars of South Bama (beat Bowling Green last yr) If the Belair tech survives the 3, with strength of Sch. this should solidify their place in the top 100
Whatever the records of these two teams on Nov. 19 when they meet in the Rose Bowl, I predict a barnburner of memorable/epic proportions.
I think I just might want this victory for USC in 2022 more than any other after watching 62-33 last season, especially if both teams are fighting for the Victory Bell with no more than one loss each and well-ranked.
Yes I expect the same! ….Epic!
What’s interesting, thinking about it, every game has a special significance. Great new coach, B1G in 2yrs. ect.
For some of these teams it will be the last time we play them foreseeable future.
Playing extra close attention now to B1G games venues. Not just football, basketball and Olympic sports as well.
I find the USC switchover to the B1G extremely exciting, to say the least. Understatement of the year, huh?
Our exit from the Feeble-12 definitely gives every single USC game “a special significance” as you say.
I imagine our past “rivalries” which are being discarded will make for some incredible battles while USC moves onward and upward. Since we sunk the conference, maybe I’m underestimating the ill will USC has generated and will encounter on the field.
It’s great to be hated again, some would say.
We’ll see it imagine every game. Think most all of USC athletes will see it in competition..
People gunning for USC again. Maybe that dropped off slightly under The Cat because our opponents expected less.
It’s amazing to me how quickly USC has been put back into the group of schools that can not only threaten, but actually win championships. The renewed hope factor is just crazy.
Yes, and I’m totally part of that renewed hope. Incredible the process/events that have occurred since LR was announced as USC Head Coach… Like the Trojan sword being trusted into the turf has come the astounding evaluations of the value of USC brand in today’s market… USC fan’s that have seen era’s come and go, now recognize a new Era has begun with vengeance. 8 days until kick off. Question to ponder…If we win coin toss Rice game , does LR put the offense in for first drive to showcase the bam, bam, bam that Travis Dye described in an… Read more »
Oregon State is rated way too low. The Beavs should be rated about where Fresno State is. I think the rest of the ranking are about right. I just wonder what will happen with UCLA having an true SEC like schedule – three scrimmages and I think 8 games at home. The Bruins could lose two games (Utah and Oregon) be 8-2 coming into our game and unranked.