Eric Gentry Shows off Repaired Ankle in Summer Workout Video
USC linebacker Eric Gentry appears to be healthy and back on the field with the Trojans.
With USC’s summer conditioning session in full swing now, the 6-foot-6, 205-pound linebacker posted video of himself leaping from, landing on and running on his surgically-repaired left ankle.
Gentry underwent offseason surgery on the ankle he injured during USC’s regular-season loss to Utah in mid-October. He missed all of spring ball while recovering.
Gentry was a major playmaker for the Trojans in his first year at USC after transferring in from Arizona State. Despite missing three full games due to that injury, Gentry finished third on the team with 71 tackles. He added two forced fumbles, an interception, three pass breakups and two sacks.
While he was able to return to the field for the final few games of the season, Gentry said he didn’t feel fully healthy until prior to the bowl game.
USC Inside Linebacker Position
Even without Gentry, we learned quite a bit about USC’s inside linebacker position this spring. Mason Cobb announced his presence after coming in from Oklahoma State. So too did early enrollee freshman Tackett Curtis. The Trojans return team captain Shane Lee and an improving Raesjon Davis at that spot as well. Riley referred to the position as one of the deepest on the team this spring. And that was without Gentry available and on the field.
The expectation this fall is for a vastly improved USC defense. Gentry taking a step forward following his first year playing inside linebacker should be a big part of that. Coaches and players this spring spoke highly of Gentry and his ability to stay locked in while sidelined and taking mental reps.
Riley on Gentry’s Rehab
Riley spoke about Gentry’s surgery and rehab ahead of spring ball.
“We took a look at it after the season,” Riley said back in March. “I think there was certainly some hope that with a little bit of downtime and rest and rehab that he could potentially get back to 100% going the non-surgical route.”
Riley said the injury “just wasn’t making the progress that we wanted to make” over the course of the offseason, which led to the surgery. He added that Gentry would have missed all of spring ball regardless of when he had the surgery this offseason. In that case, there was no harm in seeing if it would correct itself without the procedure.
Riley’s optimism that Gentry would be cleared quickly after spring ball and able to get a full summer conditioning session in seems to be correct.
