NFL fans should keep an eye on this USC linebacker

It's never too early to start talking NFL Draft for football fans. Who cares if we're not even three weeks into the 2025 NFL season? Who cares if the college football season is not even a month old yet.

This is what makes football such a beautiful thing. On Sundays, you can sit around and watch the pros all day. The day before, you get the chance to watch the stars of tomorrow.

Speaking of, NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. revealed on a recent edition of "First Draft" on ESPN that he thinks the USC Trojans may have a future NFL star on their hands in redshirt senior linebacker Eric Gentry.

Gentry hails from Philadelphia, and he's been at USC for the past four seasons. He started his college career at Arizona State as a three-star recruit.

From a three-star recruit to one of the best linebackers in the country, Kiper believes Gentry has everything NFL scouts are looking for in a linebacker.

Kiper Jr. sees an NFL future for USC's Gentry 

“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 explained (h/t On3). “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.”

Versatility really is the name for NFL linebackers in 2025 and beyond. The game has become so fast and offensive players are so athletic, that linebackers really have to be able to cover sideline to sideline and show off good speed. At the same time, linebackers have to have the size to bang around in the box against offensive linemen and running backs who seem to just be getting bigger and stronger. 

That's something Gentry has as well, per Kiper.

"They’ve got him at 6-foot-6, and I buy that. What’s his weight? 220, 225 [pounds]. He’s got the frame once he gets in the league to put on some pounds to that frame," Kiper said.

Gentry missed much of his 2024 season with injury, but he still notched 33 tackles, two sacks, one pass breakup and one fumble recovery. Through three games so far this season, he's totaled 21 tackles (all solo), three sacks and two forced fumbles.