USC Linebacker Eric Gentry Named to 2025 Butkus Award Watch List

LOS ANGELES – USC linebacker Eric Gentry was named to the 2025 Butkus Award Watch List, at the moment (July 30). The Butkus Award is offered yearly to the nation’s prime collegiate linebacker.

Gentry, together with his distinctive body as a 6-6 inside linebacker, returns to compete in his closing season in 2025.  In his four-year profession (1 season at Arizona State and three seasons at USC), he has collected 195 tackles, together with 19.5 for loss (with 6 sacks), 10 PBUs, 3 QB hurries, 3 pressured fumbles, 2 INTs and 1 blocked kick whereas showing in 39 video games with 17 begins. 

In 2024, he noticed motion in 5 video games (LSU, Utah State, Michigan, Wisconsin and the Las Vegas Bowl in opposition to Texas A&M) at linebacker as a senior. He tallied 33 tackles, together with 6.5 for lack of 17 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 11 yards). He additionally recorded 1 PBU and 1 fumble restoration. He was sidelined after the primary 4 video games of the season video games attributable to damage, however was capable of redshirt. He returned to play within the bowl recreation on the finish of the season.

The 51-player watch listing pays tribute to Dick Butkus’ iconic No. 51 jersey worn throughout his Hall of Fame profession.

Award semi-finalists shall be named Nov. 4, finalists Nov. 25 and the winner revealed by Dec. 10. Appearing on the watch listing is just not a requirement to win the award. The 2025 winner shall be honored at a ceremony on the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in early 2026 which shall be featured on a Big Ten Network particular.

The 51-member choice committee, comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists, evaluates candidates based mostly on the qualities that outlined Butkus’ profession: toughness, management, competitiveness, soccer character and conventional linebacking expertise.