From now until kickoff in Arlington, Texas, we'll be counting down the days before Alabama and Michigan get the season started. Today, we move to No. 58 and what it means to UA football. See all the previous editions here.
For every championship team there are a few players that fly under the radar, making significant contributions without necessarily making a name for themselves. Last season, when the University of Alabama beat LSU for its second title in three years, one of those understated athletes was No. 58 Nick Gentry.
Gentry wasn't the biggest, the fastest or the strongest player on the roster. He wasn't an NFL draft pick and didn't garner any All-American votes. In fact, he didn't even start for the Crimson Tide. But what he did do, he did well.
The native of Prattville, Ala., switched his game completely his senior season, going from a run-stopper to a pass-rusher. Gentry backed up Josh Chapman at nose tackle, and usually entered the game on third down. Despite being slightly under sized for the position, Gentry wreaked havoc in the middle of the line. He finished second on the team in sacks (4.5), fifth in tackles for loss (6), third in quarterback hurries (4) and even recovered one of the seven fumbles the UA defense picked up all season.
In the end, it was Gentry on the podium, smiling alongside the crystal football trophy.
Who will be this season's role players to make an impact? Vote inside The Tusk.
