Eric Gentry will be a huge X-factor for the Trojans this season
Last season in five games and two starts, Gentry was extremely productive, racking up 33 tackles, including 6.5 for loss with 2 sacks. His versatility was always on full display. He also had 1 PBU and 1 fumble recovery. There are so many ways to use this freakishly athletic defender. He will be the biggest X-factor for this defense if it is going to reach new heights in its improvement. PFF gave Gentry excellent grades across the board last season; he received an 83.4 defensive grade, a 92.6 run defense grade, and a 75.6 pass rush grade.
With him being fully healthy and getting after it in camp, Gentry his turning heads. Most notably he has his starting quarterback taking notice of the problems he can create for opposing offenses. In a recent tweet, Ryan Kartje of the LA Times broke down Jayden Maiava's thoughts on the star linebacker for USC:
"USC QB Jayden Maiava was asked which defender was giving him the most trouble during practice. Maiava: 'For sure, Eric Gentry. He's covering half the field himself.'"
Eric Gentry will be a problem this season for opposing offenses. It is very encouraging to see that he is fully healthy and picking up right where he left off last season before he got hurt. If the Trojans want to compete in the Big Ten and contend for a playoff berth, they will need players such as Gentry to be healthy difference makers.
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