Interview: 2021 OG Austin Gentle Went Rough on Tennessee Competition for 4-Star Ranking

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

There is never a shortage of great talent coming out of the state of Tennessee, and four-star Class of 2021 offensive guard Austin Gentle is helping carry the tradition forward. The 6-4, 276-pound, trench hog was a one-man wrecking crew last season for McCallie taking delight in finishing off plays the old fashion way, burying a defender. Gentle went a 180 on the namesake serving out 84 pancakes on the way to a 10-2 season and end of year No. 10 in-state ranking (MaxPreps) for the Blue Tornado. In addition to receiving All-Conference and All-Region honors for his play on the field, Gentle has picked up three scholarship offers coming from Charlotte, Louisville, and Memphis. To get an inside scoop on it all, the game and the recruiting, I sat down with Gentle for an in-depth one-on-one.

Interview

Austin, to say you are a physical presence in the trenches is putting it mildly. You put so many guys in the ground we may have to start calling you the Grave Digger. What is your process pregame or during a game that gets you to that spot mentally ready to dominate defenders?

“Before every game I will do my pregame routine – first the team meal and then I will sit in the locker room to visualize the game and walk through the plays to prepare for the game. I think about it a couple of nights before the game to be ready. I watch a lot of film.”

Did you track knockdowns and/or pancake blocks last season?

“Yes, sir. I had 84 pancakes. I’m not sure on knockdowns.”

If you had to guess on the knockdowns, how many do you think you had?

“I’m not sure exactly, maybe 50 more. I’m not sure.”

What type of offense did the Blue Tornado run last season?

“We run the spread. Our QB is a fast guy, we run about 90 percent of the time. Some passes but mostly running and pulling.”

You pull and down block a lot on running plays, what are some of the other blocking duties you have that showcases your skills?

“As you mentioned, a lot of pulling, blocking down, we double-team and focus on fits. We do one-on-one with 1-techinque maybe 3-techniques. We are shifting this season. Our offensive line is bigger this season. We have more size, so we are going more to one-on-one blocking. If I did not have a tackle in front of me, I was getting to the linebackers if the 1-tech was slanting. That showcases my second level speed and contact on the linebacker.”

You do a good job of keeping your hands inside with your pass blocking, what are some of the other skills to your game when those plays are called?

“I think I have quick feet. My hips are flexible and I can recover from a long step. I get good punches on defensive linemen, that helps me hold them off.”

Was there a defensive lineman that challenged you last season, if so, how did that challenge make you a better player?

“Probably the best linemen I went against were on my own team. John Hardy – it was great working with him and Cameron Stewart. Going against those guys would prep me for games. They were often better than what I went against in games.”

What are you working on this spring with your pass and run blocking?

“I am working on my strength, a lot of lifting, my explosiveness, flexibility, pass-pro and staying low.”

Have you maxed out this offseason?

“Yes. We did recently, last week actually. I cleaned 300, squatted 500, and benched 315.”

Wow. Impressive.

“Thank you.”

Have you gone to any camps this spring?

“No, sir. I just got out of wrestling, but I am going to some this summer. I went to National Preps for wrestling this year.”

Nice. With camps, which ones might you compete at this summer?

“I am going to a good number of camps, but have not narrowed it down. I am planning on going to the Oklahoma Elite Lineman Camp, a Stanford camp, Duke, Kentucky, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Vanderbilt.”

You have the three offers, which schools are showing interest?

“I am receiving interest from Mississippi State, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Ole Miss, and Stanford.”

Austin Gentle at Kentucky

Have you visited any schools this spring?

“Yes, sir. I have visited Kentucky, Tennessee, Memphis this spring and last season, and Georgia Tech.”

How did the Kentucky trip go?

“It went really well. I got to tour the campus, meet the coaches, and I am looking forward to going back again.”

And the in-state school, how about the trip to Tennessee?

“It went really well. I did not get to see them in action for a practice, but it was really neat to visit and I got to meet the coaches.”

What about Georgia Tech, how did that go?

“That was fun. I was there for their spring game. That was really neat. I really liked their facilities and how their coaches run things.”

Going into the classroom, if you will update me on your GPA and test scores?

“My cumulative GPA is a 4.04. I have not taken the ACT or SAT yet but I took the PSAT and scored in the Top 2 percent.”

That’s fantastic. You mentioned wrestling a little bit ago. Update me on going to National Preps.

“You get invited to National Preps depending how you did in your own state. I placed fourth in state this season, this was my first year varsity wrestling. I went 1-2 at National Preps but I pinned the Maryland state champion.”

What weight did you wrestle at this season?

“I wrestled at 260.”

What is one thing people should be on the lookout for this season with the Blue Tornado?

“I have an identical twin brother, Jack. He was out with injury last season. He plays center. He is 6-3, 250, but he will be up in weight through lifting by the start of the season.”

Austin, it was great to get the interview in with you today. I appreciate your time.

“Thank you.”

Contribute Now

Photo credit: Gentle family; Austin Gentle at Vanderbilt and Kentucky

Leave a Reply