Steelers Now
FRISCO, Tx. — Typically, college football teams don’t let things like Eric Gentry happen. Even in a field full of genetic freaks, Gentry, a USC linebacker, stands out in the crowd, not just for his personal physique, but its fit with the position that he plays. Gentry checked in at 6-foot-6 3/8 and 221 pounds here at the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl, with 34 1/4-inch arms.
That’s a 10.0 height grade at Relative Athletic Score — the tallest player in the history of that database. He’s also a 1.54 out of 10 in terms of weight. So he’s one of the skinniest players in the entire database, as well.
That usually doesn’t happen. Gentry is taller than all but three players at the shrine bowl. All are offensive tackles. He’s taller than every edge rusher, every tight end, wide receiver and defensive back. And at 221 pounds, he weights less than three of the quarterbacks that are here.
Usually, somewhere along the way, someone will decide that he’s bester of at one of those other positions. His RAS height and weight scores at strong safety (10/9.64), free safety (9.99/9.84), wide receiver (9.99/9.54) and cornerback (10/9.99) are all among the best possible.
Even with a transfer from Arizona State to USC, that never happened. Gentry looks out of place at linebacker. He’s a half a foot taller than Miami (Ohio) linebacker Jackson Kuwatch. The two of them lined up next to one another look almost ridiculous.
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a linebacker that looks like USC’s Eric Gentry. 6-6. Seems to move pretty well.
Solid group of LBs here in general. pic.twitter.com/rwvK2px8dQ
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) January 24, 2026
But it hasn’t stopped him from being plenty productive, though. Having a 6-foot-6 player in the middle of the defense can be quite a bear to deal with, as Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski found out on back-to-back plays on Saturday.
Lol. Back to back plays. https://t.co/0s1I4PIQOg pic.twitter.com/VxbNJEstv5
— Alan Saunders (@ASaunders_PGH) January 24, 2026
Gentry is currently projected as a late day three pick, but I could see that rising after his performance this week.
🏈 In last year’s draft class, Tyler Shough was a player with a long injury history and a seven-year college career that came out of nowhere in the pre-draft process to end up a second-round pick.
If there’s an analogue in this year’s class, it might be Joe Fagnano. A Williamsport, Pa. native, Fagnano played seven collegiate seasons around some injuries, starting at Maine before transferring to UConn.
He has NFL size at 6-foot-2 3/4, 223 pounds and threw for 3,448 yards and 28 touchdowns compared to one interception. In a quarterback class that lacks big names, he’s one to keep an eye on.
🏈 Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen is another undersized receiver that is an interesting projection to the next level. He’s 5-foot-8 3/4 and played mostly kick returner at Iowa. He’s definitely fast enough to play in...
