WATCH: Caleb Williams discusses difficulty of playing against linebacker Eric Gentry in practice

Caleb Williams was one of the highest profile and sought-after prospects in the transfer portal this offseason. Much of the nation has gotten to hear about him and how amazing he’s expected to be for USC this fall. One thing many people haven’t gotten to hear about is the Trojans’ defense heading into the 2022 campaign. On Wednesday evening, Williams talked about the Trojans’ new inside linebacker Eric Gentry and how difficult it is to go up against him in practice. The team landed the gifted linebacker from Arizona State via the transfer portal this offseason.

Check out the audio clip below, courtesy of Keely Eure, director of creative content for USC athletics and the Trojans’ football team reporter.

USC QB Caleb Williams on 6’6 inside linebacker Eric Gentry: “He’s difficult to get the ball over and I’m glad we have him on our team.” pic.twitter.com/UIMVSgHTbP

— Keely Eure (@keelyismyname) August 25, 2022

“Yeah, he’s a big guy. He’s got me here kinda recently. I didn’t think it was someone else. I didn’t know the personnel exactly up on defense, because they change so much in practice. So, I didn’t know. I didn’t necessarily key him on this certain play and he just reached up and grabbed it. He’s difficult to get the ball over and I’m glad we have him on our team,” Wiliams said.

Gentry wasted no time in making an instant impact as a freshman during his college football debut season last year for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He earned freshman All-American honors from numerous media outlets across the country after he racked up 45 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two deflections in 12 games. He started the final three games of the season last year (Oregon State, Arizona, and Wisconsin in Las Vegas Bowl). Standing at 6-foot-6, Gentry was rated as a three-star recruit and the No. 61 linebacker in America for the 2021 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Consensus Rankings.

Williams is not the only member of the Trojans’ team that has been impressed by Gentry. USC defensive coordinator Alex Grinch also shared his early impressions of the talented linebacker after practice, as the Trojans approach the end of fall camp.

“I’m very impressed with him,” Grinch said of Gentry on Thursday. “You can tell he’s played football at our level, you know. The difference between a freshman and a sophomore, there is no greater difference. You see that. I give him a lot of credit. He didn’t have the spring with us.

“Coming out here and picking things up as well as he has in a short time, it has been a real bright spot for us… We’re excited about Eric.”

On3’s Nikki Chavanelle also contributed to this article.