Next Margus Hunt? SMU DL Mason Gentry is a physical freak

[mtrout]

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http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college ... ical-freak

[footballdad]

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http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college ... ical-freak

Hey EJ, just because you're big doesn't make you a 'physical freak'. (Jerry Saena, Spencer Hollie)

What made Margus the physical freak was his athleticism, and extraordinary strength at that size. Wonder what Gentry's vertical, broad, max bench, and 225 bench reps are? My guess is they are nowhere near the Margus numbers.

Sounds like he was really committed in the off season, so hopefully he'll be an anchor and a leader inside, and his actual production will reflect that hard work. He doesn't need to be the next Margus, he just needs to be an immovable object inside and command double teams.

[whitwiki]

Actually agree here.

[JasonB]

I think the comparison was as much about size as lack of dominance. With Hunt, his physical gifts left everyone waiting for him to absolutely dominate on the field at some point. It never quite happened (beyond bowls and extra points).

Personally, I think both Gentry and Lawler will dominate sooner rather than later... they are really just now entering the time where they should start to get all-conference recognition.

Keep in mind also with Gentry that he is moving from a 3-4 scheme at DE to a 4-3 DT. It takes a little while to learn a new position. With experience and maturity, I expect him and Lawler to be a real force in the Spring and Fall.

[mtrout]

Reminds me of 'Traylon Shead is the real deal'

[JasonB]

When you don't hit in practice, you don't find out that someone can't hold onto the ball until it is game time.

[Digetydog]

I think the comparison was as much about size as lack of dominance. With Hunt, his physical gifts left everyone waiting for him to absolutely dominate on the field at some point. It never quite happened (beyond bowls and extra points).

Personally, I think both Gentry and Lawler will dominate sooner rather than later... they are really just now entering the time where they should start to get all-conference recognition.

Keep in mind also with Gentry that he is moving from a 3-4 scheme at DE to a 4-3 DT. It takes a little while to learn a new position. With experience and maturity, I expect him and Lawler to be a real force in the Spring and Fall.

On a roster with normal (aka - acceptable) depth, Gentry wouldn't have been forced to start 22 games for us at this point in his career. Simply put, he didn't "force" his way into a starting role with outstanding play. Essentially, he was forced to start 22 games as a RS Freshman and Soph, because he wasn't horrible and because he was durable.

In evaluating him, it is important to remember:
1) He is a baseball player who converted to football after he moved to Plano. He is still learning.
http://vype.com/dallas/2012/12/18/plano ... t-recruit/
2) By all accounts, he has taken full advantage of the S&C program and is now listed on the roster at 305. Every year, he is getting stronger.

Although it is not a sure thing, he does have the potential to be a very good AAC DL for the next 2 years.

[JasonB]

I think the comparison was as much about size as lack of dominance. With Hunt, his physical gifts left everyone waiting for him to absolutely dominate on the field at some point. It never quite happened (beyond bowls and extra points).

Personally, I think both Gentry and Lawler will dominate sooner rather than later... they are really just now entering the time where they should start to get all-conference recognition.

Keep in mind also with Gentry that he is moving from a 3-4 scheme at DE to a 4-3 DT. It takes a little while to learn a new position. With experience and maturity, I expect him and Lawler to be a real force in the Spring and Fall.

On a roster with normal (aka - acceptable) depth, Gentry wouldn't have been forced to start 22 games for us at this point in his career. Simply put, he didn't "force" his way into a starting role with outstanding play. Essentially, he was forced to start 22 games as a RS Freshman and Soph, because he wasn't horrible and because he was durable.

In evaluating him, it is important to remember:
1) He is a baseball player who converted to football after he moved to Plano. He is still learning.
http://vype.com/dallas/2012/12/18/plano ... t-recruit/
2) By all accounts, he has taken full advantage of the S&C program and is now listed on the roster at 305. Every year, he is getting stronger.

Although it is not a sure thing, he does have the potential to be a very good AAC DL for the next 2 years.

Totally agree with that. If we had sufficient players on the DL he wouldn't have seen much of the field just yet.