From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, all the way to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Southern California linebacker Eric Gentry.
NO. 18 ERIC GENTRY/LB/USC – 6063, 221 POUNDS (REDSHIRT SENIOR)
MEASUREMENTS
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Eric Gentry 6063/221 N/A N/A N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
N/A
THE GOOD
-Rare size and length for the position
-Elite-level wingspan that allows him to make tackles outside of his frame
-Productive defender that can handle many roles defensively, both off-ball and off the edge
-Comfortable dropping into zone coverage and has a good feel in space
-Utilizes his length well to get into throwing lanes at multiple levels
-Flashes good movement skills and bend as a pass rusher off the edge
-Very productive, consistent tackler in the heart of USC’s defense across four years
-Nose for the football; had five forced fumbles in 2025
THE BAD
-Size works against him as a run defender; he tends to play too high and doesn’t have play strength
-Must add weight and strength to handle NFL physicality
-Struggles to stack and shed in the box as a run defender; gives up too much ground when attempting to take on
-Lots of missed tackles all over his tape, particularly in the open field
-Doesn’t have much of a physical edge to his game; more of a wrap and roll guy
-Tries to slip underneath blocks too often, rather than standing and delivering a blow to take on
-Has had issues with change of direction in man coverage; more of a zone coverage guy
STATS
-2025 stats: played in 12 games and finished with 76 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, and two pass breakups
-Finished his collegiate career with 271 tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, 13 pass breakups, two interceptions, nine forced fumbles, 13 pass breakups and one fumble recovery
-Spent four years at USC and finished with 141 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, two interceptions, 11 pass breakups, nine forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery
-One season at Arizona State in 2021 and recorded 45 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, one sack, and two pass breakups
INJURY HISTORY
-Suffered a left ankle injury in 2022, causing him to miss three games
-Underwent surgery after the 2022 season on his ankle to correct the issue
-Had a series of concussions in 2024, causing him to redshirt after the first four games of the season
BACKGROUND
-Born May 20, 2003
-Philadelphia native who attended Saint John Neumann and Maria Goretti Catholic High School
-Missed senior year of high school due to COVID-19 restrictions; graduated high school a year early
-Chose Arizona State to play for Herm Edwards, Marvin Lewis, and Antonio Pierce
-Spent one season at Arizona State and wasa freshman All-American before transferring to USC
-Played four seasons at USC, starting 40 games
-Earned All-Big Ten in his final season at USC
-Studied American Popular Culture at USC
-Competed in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl and was invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Players are getting bigger, stronger, and faster entering the NFL nowadays. USC linebacker Eric Gentry is a good example of that in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Gentry, who measured in at 6063, 221 pounds at the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl with 35 2/8-inch arms, is a true unicorn at the position. He looks more like an EDGE rusher or a wide receiver, but he’s stuck at off-ball linebacker dating back to his high school days.
With his size, Gentry can make many plays outside of his frame that other linebackers can’t. He has a nose for the ball and punched out many footballs during the 2025 season.
You can see Gentry’s athleticism here as he bounces around, explodes laterally, and closes down on the ball carrier, covering a lot of ground. Once there, he gets his hand on the football, knocking it loose for a pivotal turnover.
As a run defender, particularly off-ball, Gentry has a hard time taking on blocks. He has a big, long frame, but lacks functional play strength.
He doesn’t take on blocks well and would rather slip them. But when he doesn’t have the opportunity to slip, he doesn’t deliver a blow to the blocker. Instead, he lets them into his frame and struggles to get off blocks in a phone booth, much like what happens above against Illinois.
Where I really liked Gentry as a run defender, though, was on the edge.
Gentry reads plays well when he’s on the edge. He can see into the backfield cleanly. He also has the quick twitch to explode and close ground in the blink of an eye.
You can see the closing speed here against Michigan. He sees it, triggers downhill, and makes a nice play for the TFL. This was one of the few times I saw him finish with force as a tackler, too.
I’m big on Gentry’s range, too.
He can really open it up and run, covering a ton of ground.
You can see some of the issues with the change of direction initially, as Gentry stumbles a bit. But once he opens his hips, he covers an impressive amount of ground on the quick throw to make the tackle. His effort limits the play from potentially becoming a splash play for the Wolverines.
Gentry is an effective blitzer, one that can get upfield into the backfield in the blink of an eye. You can’t teach his size and explosiveness. But conerningly, Gentry struggles to make stops in space.
This could have been a great play on Gentry’s tape. He sees the offensive line open up in front of him, and he triggers downhill immediately to get into the backfield again the run. Once there, though, he can’t make the play. His technique needs improvement, and he needs to add functional strength.
The length and positional experience he has should give Gentry plenty of opportunities in the NFL, at least as a sub-package linebacker.
He can completely erase passing lanes wherever he is on the field. He’s at his best in zone coverage. Here, he can read the quarterback’s eyes and feel receivers around him.
CONCLUSION
The size is the real calling card with USC linebacker Eric Gentry. He’s in the 96th percentile or higher in height, length, wingspan, and more. But the weight is a concern as an off-ball linebacker.
There’s plenty of good that flashes on tape, from his range, ability to take away passing lanes with his length, and the knack for creating turnovers by punching the ball out. But he struggles taking on blocks, getting off those blocks, and defending the run.
He projects as more of a sub-package linebacker, one who can be dependable in coverage. He can blitz off-ball, rush from the edge, or handle coverage duties in the slot. There’s no real NFL comparison for Gentry because of his size and build. But there’s a talented piece in there, one that needs the right coaching and scheme to unlock his talents at the next level.
NFL Projection: Mid-Day 3
Steelers Depot Grade: 7.2 (Spot Starter)
Grade Range: 6.8-7.7
Games Watched: Illinois (2025), Michigan (2025), Notre Dame (2025), Oregon (2025), UCLA (2025)
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