Mel Kiper on USC LB Eric Gentry: 'This kid pops'

The NFL Draft may not be on many people’s minds in September, but this is a vital time of year for players. After all, it’s when players actually get to be in games and put what they’re capable of on tape. Now, one player who is already popping is Eric Gentry, a linebacker at USC.

On the latest First Draft, ESPN’s expert Mel Kiper Jr. praised Eric Gentry. A unique player due to his size, Gentry is a linebacker who can make plays everywhere on the field and that’s nothing new. So, he’s quickly becoming an interesting prospect.

“You think about the USC Trojans and you look at where they are on defense,” Kiper said. “Eric Gentry, and this is a guy who really popped over the course of a couple of seasons. You look at him, I always talk about splendid splinters, right? Big Ted Williams fan. Remember, DeVonta Smith was a splendid splinter coming out of Alabama. On the defense, Eric Gentry, you don’t see guys — they’ve got him at 6-6, and I buy that. What’s his weight? 220, 225 [lbs]. He’s got the frame once he gets in the league to put on some pounds to that frame.”

Gentry began his college career at Arizona State before transferring to USC. He’s now in his fourth season with the Trojans and his fifth in college football. With that experience, he’s made himself one of the most versatile linebackers in the Big Ten.

“He is an instinctive linebacker who finds the football. Whether it’s getting after the quarterback, whether it’s chasing after the running backs with great lateral quickness,” Kiper said. “Okay? Whatever you’re asking him to do, he’s able to get it done at a high level. He almost intercepted a pass that went through his hands, ended up being a touchdown the other way, this past Saturday. He leads them in tackles, he leads them in sacks. This kid pops. Eric Gentry, who they shade inside, play him outside, gives you that versatility.”

For his career, Gentry has played in 43 games, including the first three games of the 2025 season. In that time, he has 216 total tackles, 25 tackles for a loss, and 9.0 sacks. He also has two interceptions and 11 passes defended.

Now, Gentry is being coached by Rob Ryan. A longtime NFL assistant coach, Ryan knows what NFL teams are looking for and can help shape him as a prospect this season.

“By the way, Rex Ryan, twin brother, Rob Ryan. Rob Ryan is the linebacker coach at USC. Rob Ryan is working with Eric Gentry, and I’m going to be talking to Rob about Eric Gentry,” Kiper said. “Because when I look at him and I’ve got a kid — the versatility that he has, the production in all three key areas of linebacker play, and he’s done it over a period of time. Not just this year. He’s already proven he can get it done. Gentry just finds the ball, and when you watch a game, he shows up at key moments. I like what I’ve seen so far from Eric Gentry, linebacker at USC.”

USC is going to be back in action on Saturday night against Michigan State. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for 11:00 p.m. EST. That’s 8:00 p.m. PST.