The Bengals didn’t need long to see the appeal in Eric Gentry.
After going undrafted out of USC, the 6-foot-7 linebacker landed in Cincinnati as one of the more unusual rookie additions in the league. He brings the kind of length and athleticism that jumps off the page, and now he gets a chance to turn that into a real role under new defensive coordinator Al Golden.
Gentry’s college path was anything but ordinary. He started at Arizona State, where he flashed right away as a true freshman, then transferred to USC ahead of the 2022 season. Over four years with the Trojans, he piled up 271 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, nine sacks, two interceptions, 13 passes defended and nine forced fumbles.
The numbers matter, but the frame is what makes him stand out. Gentry’s wingspan and size make him look more like an NBA forward than an NFL linebacker, and that rare build helped him become a disruptive presence in coverage, against the run and even as an occasional edge rusher. He was used as a versatile piece who could play off-ball linebacker and also come after the quarterback.
Still, the draft process exposed the concerns. Questions about his weight, play strength and where he fits best kept him from being selected. At roughly 220 pounds, he’s light for the position and will need to get stronger, shed blocks better and tackle more consistently if he wants to earn meaningful defensive snaps.
That’s where Cincinnati’s situation gives him a shot. The Bengals have overhauled their defense this offseason, but linebacker remains one of the more interesting battles heading into camp. Veterans and draft picks are expected to sit near the top of the depth chart, which means Gentry’s best path is likely through special teams and by showing he can handle multiple jobs in preseason action.
His skill set also gives the Bengals something to think about creatively. Could Golden eventually use him as a hybrid linebacker-edge defender?
Could he become a passing-down player who drops into coverage while using his length to disrupt throws? Those questions are still down the road, but they’re part of what makes him such a compelling project.
For now, the most realistic outcome is a spot on the practice squad. That would give Gentry time to add 15 to 20 pounds without losing the movement skills that make him interesting in the first place while he learns Golden’s system.
That wouldn’t be a setback. It would just be the start of the process.
Eric Gentry is the kind of developmental lottery ticket teams chase every year: a player with a modest floor as a special teams contributor and a much higher ceiling if everything clicks. The Bengals are clearly betting that his length, speed and instincts can eventually fit what they’re building on defense.
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