Gamecocks offer Troy defensive end commitment

South Carolina has done well finding players in Alabama who weren’t going to play for Alabama or Auburn and giving them a chance to shine in the SEC. The Gamecocks think they’ve identified another in that category in defensive end Griffin Gentry of Homestead.

He was offered by linebackers coach Kirk Botkin last Thursday.

“I’m really excited about it,” said Gentry, who currently is committed to Troy. “I wasn’t expecting it but it happened. It’s a pretty good feeling and it put a pretty good smile on my face. It’s a SEC offer, my first one. Plus, I really like South Carolina. I’ve been to Columbia and I like the coaches there.”

Gentry camped with the Gamecocks last summer and met assistant coaches Deke Adams, Lorenzo Ward and Jon Hoke. The Gamecocks got a look at him then, and he must have left an impression.

“They like that I’m pretty athletic with a big wingspan,” Gentry said, adding that he specializes in rushing the passer.

Right now he’s still committed to Troy but “I plan on making my final decision by the middle of next month. I’ll base it off the education the school has to offer, how I can fit in and make a big impact on a team early and how I get a feel for the school.”

Gentry has been to Troy and Auburn for games and will be at USC for the Florida game. He’s also planning to see games at Memphis and Alabama. He said he has more than a dozen offers but USC, Memphis and Troy stand out the most to him.

This season Gentry said he has 57 tackles with 40 solo. As a junior he had 106 tackles with seven sacks.

This story was originally published October 27, 2015 at 8:57 AM.