Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
USC Linebacker Eric Gentry Named to 2025 Butkus Award Watch List
July 30, 2025 | Football
LOS ANGELES – USC linebacker Eric Gentry was named to the 2025 Butkus Award Watch List, today (July 30). The Butkus Award is presented annually to the nation's top collegiate linebacker.
Â
Gentry, with his unique frame as a 6-6 inside linebacker, returns to compete in his final season in 2025.  In his four-year career (1 season at Arizona State and 3 seasons at USC), he has collected 195 tackles, including 19.5 for loss (with 6 sacks), 10 PBUs, 3 QB hurries, 3 forced fumbles, 2 INTs and 1 blocked kick while appearing in 39 games with 17 starts.Â
In 2024, he saw action in 5 games (LSU, Utah State, Michigan, Wisconsin and the Las Vegas Bowl against Texas A&M) at linebacker as a senior. He tallied 33 tackles, including 6.5 for loss of 17 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 11 yards). He also recorded 1 PBU and 1 fumble recovery. He was sidelined after the first 4 games of the season games due to injury, but was able to redshirt. He returned to play in the bowl game at the end of the season.
The 51-player watch list pays tribute to Dick Butkus' iconic No. 51 jersey worn during his Hall of Fame career.
Award semi-finalists will be named Nov. 4, finalists Nov. 25 and the winner revealed by Dec. 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2025 winner will be honored at a ceremony at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium in early 2026 which will be featured on a Big Ten Network special.
The 51-member selection committee, comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists, evaluates candidates based on the qualities that defined Butkus' career: toughness, leadership, competitiveness, football character and traditional linebacking skills.
Â
Â
Â
Gentry, with his unique frame as a 6-6 inside linebacker, returns to compete in his final season in 2025.  In his four-year career (1 season at Arizona State and 3 seasons at USC), he has collected 195 tackles, including 19.5 for loss (with 6 sacks), 10 PBUs, 3 QB hurries, 3 forced fumbles, 2 INTs and 1 blocked kick while appearing in 39 games with 17 starts.Â
In 2024, he saw action in 5 games (LSU, Utah State, Michigan, Wisconsin and the Las Vegas Bowl against Texas A&M) at linebacker as a senior. He tallied 33 tackles, including 6.5 for loss of 17 yards (with 2 sacks for minus 11 yards). He also recorded 1 PBU and 1 fumble recovery. He was sidelined after the first 4 games of the season games due to injury, but was able to redshirt. He returned to play in the bowl game at the end of the season.
The 51-player watch list pays tribute to Dick Butkus' iconic No. 51 jersey worn during his Hall of Fame career.
Award semi-finalists will be named Nov. 4, finalists Nov. 25 and the winner revealed by Dec. 10. Appearing on the watch list is not a requirement to win the award. The 2025 winner will be honored at a ceremony at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium in early 2026 which will be featured on a Big Ten Network special.
The 51-member selection committee, comprised of coaches, scouts and journalists, evaluates candidates based on the qualities that defined Butkus' career: toughness, leadership, competitiveness, football character and traditional linebacking skills.
Â
Â
Trojans Live: USC's Luke Huard, Ryon Sayeri & Justin Silverstein
Monday, September 29
Game Analysis: Cody Kessler evaluates USC's last-minute loss to Illinois | The Victory Podcast
Monday, September 29
USC Football vs. Illinois Post Game Press Conference
Saturday, September 27
Football - USC 32, Illinois 34: Highlights (9/27/25)
Saturday, September 27
