Helium Boys Special: Interview with USC LB Eric Gentry on regaining confidence, film study and Wawa

Peristyle Podcast - USC Trojan Football Discussion

Shotgun Spratling and Chris Trevino return for a special Tunnel Vision takeover episode of the Helium Boys Podcast, a serious non-serious USC football prodcast. The Helium Boys are back with a special guest interview with USC linebacker Eric Gentry where he talks about regaining his confidence, his passion for film study, the Trojans' defensive turnaround and his affinity for Wawa.

Gentry discusses how he's been able to get off to a great start to the season, leading the team with 14 tackles, including a team-best 3.5 tackles for loss, through the first two games. He credits the new coaching staff for helping him take his game to another level, including linebackers coach Matt Entz helping him decipher presnap indicators that have helped him play a step faster. A lot of that comes from his work in the film room, which is something Gentry has taken very seriously since now-Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce helped show him the importance during their time together at Arizona State.

The 6-foot-6 linebacker also talks about the freedom he has in the new defense, how defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn asks for and uses his feedback from the field and discusses when he realized the Trojans could have a good defense this year. He tries to define what his role in USC's defense is, and Gentry even looks back and opens up about the school he wanted an offer from growing up that never came.

After a break, Shotgun and Chris delve into Gentry's personality, which has an on-field/off-field duality. Gentry also talks about the role his faith plays as a Muslim football player and why music is so important to him, particularly on game days. The episode concludes with the podcasting duo quizzing the Philadelphia native about his home city with Chris throwing some Take It or Leave Its about the iconic elements of Philly at Gentry.

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