USC’s Gentry to redshirt ’24 due to concussions

• Paolo Uggetti, ESPNOct 15, 2024, 10:30 PM ET

USC linebacker Eric Gentry will redshirt the rest of the 2024 season after suffering “a series of concussions in a brief amount of time,” he stated Tuesday.

“This decision has actually not been easy,” Gentry wrote on social networks. “However after thoughtful factor to consider and conversations with my household and the training staff, I know it’s the right choice for my well-being and long-term health.”

Gentry, who transferred to USC in 2022 after one season at Arizona State, likewise noted in his social media post that his decision to redshirt did not have anything to do with playing time or name, image and similarity opportunities.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated The 6-foot-6 linebacker had been among the most impactful players on USC’s new-look defense under first-year organizer D’Anton Lynn. Through 4 games this season, Gentry was leading the Trojans in tackles( 22), tackles for loss(6.5 )and sacks (2 )and had one required fumble. He missed out on USC’s previous 2 games against Minnesota and Penn State due to previously undisclosed injuries.Due to the new NCAA rules where players still are enabled to redshirt after seeing action

in as much as 4 games, Gentry will be eligible to return in 2025 as a fifth-year senior.Also Tuesday, Trojans coach Lincoln Riley stated defensive end Anthony Lucas will miss out on the remainder of the season due to a” lower extremity”injury. According to Riley, Lucas had actually a procedure done Tuesday morning.Lucas limped off the field versus Minnesota 2 weeks earlier and did not return. He did, however, play minimal snaps in the Trojans’loss to Penn State on Saturday.The previous luxury hire played his freshman season at Texas A&M before transferring to USC in the spring of 2023. After appearing in all 13 games last season, Lucas had revealed guarantee as a key part of the Trojans’revamped defense under Lynn. He had 16 tackles this season.Lucas’ absence is a significant blow to USC’s defensive line depth, which is currently thin. The system likely will turn to freshman protective end Kameryn Fountain, a four-star hire, to assist fill deep space.