Football Player Profile - Ryan Gentry

It shouldn’t be hard to spot senior receiver Ryan Gentry this year. He hopes to combine his height and athleticism to overpower safeties and become a big part of the Dragon passing game. Though he hopes to become a major down field target for the Dragons as he enters his second year as a varsity receiver, he says he will take whatever role the team needs him to.
 “Because of my height, I’m more of a deep ball, out rebound the DB kind of receiver than a threat to take a two yard route to the house,” Gentry said. “But I’ll do anything that’s asked of me because I know it’ll help the team.”
 Last season, this meant that Gentry spent most of his playing time on special teams, though he hopes to take a bigger role this year. Gentry says that although he didn’t get much playing time last season, just being on varsity has helped prepare him to step up into a starting spot this year.
 “Last year went kind of like I had expected it to, in that I was a varsity player, but got the vast majority of my playing time only on special teams,” he said. “I was new to the program, and hadn't earned my stripes, so to speak, so I didn't expect too much out of myself, but the small tastes I got of the big time really added to my motivation this offseason to be the best player I possibly could be.”
 This offseason, Gentry is working on doing just that. Motivated by his time on varsity last year, Gentry says he has spent his summer working to improve in all categories.
 “ I feel like during the offseason I've grown and improved in every aspect of the game, and I can't wait to see the proverbial reaping of what I have sown this season.”
 If his offseason training is any indication, Gentry should be reaping quite a bit this season, given his extensive offseason training.
 “I've been running, lifting weights, and doing everything under the sun to make sure I'm in the best physical condition I possibly could be for the upcoming season,” he said. “I've focused a lot of my time on improving my speed because of the huge importance it plays in my particular position.”
 Gentry says that what motivates him through all of his hard workouts is his competitive spirit, and his drive to be the best.
 “I love the feeling of competing, and football is the ultimate venue for that feeling,” Gentry said. “Knowing that, as a team, we’ve worked nonstop since last November for this season lends an extra edge to that and only magnifies the competition.”
 In addition, Gentry says that he is driven by his teammates, especially those who are varsity veterans. Their example is what Gentry says motivates him to be a better player.
 “I look up to my teammates who have been there and experienced some of the Dragon magic,” he said, “because they know what it takes to be the best.”
 Not only does he see his teammates as role models, but also as a family. Gentry says that the relationship between him and his teammates is ultimately more important in the long run that winning or losing.
 “We always say that the number one goal of the Carroll Dragons is to keep this family of brothers together as long as possible,” he said, “and we just want to stay focused on the next game.”

By Sean Meehan, Carroll Boosters Staff Writer