Meet Thornton Gentry: From Chapin to NC State
CHAPIN, S.C. — Thornton Gentry is an 18-year-old football player who was born and bred in Chapin and has lived all his life there. Gentry is also a 6-foot-4, 300-pound center.
“I love everything about football,” he said on Hudl. “I love to lift, run, practice, and of course, Friday nights! I am in my school’s chorus and enjoy playing guitar.”
Gentry attended the prestigious Chapin High School. He was a stellar student, both in the classroom and outside of class. Apart from academics, he played as the offensive tackle on the football team for the Eagles of Chapin High. His father, Justin Gentry, was the coach he played under.
He left quite an impression on everyone with his four-year high school career. As a junior, he was named to the SCFCA 5-A All-State team and the Region 5-A All-Region team.
Other career accomplishments include:
- was a four-year starter
- finished with 115 pancake blocks
- was named to the SCFCA 5-A All-State team
- was the Region 5-A Lineman of the Year
- was named the Chapin Lineman of the Year
- won the Eddie Muldrow Leadership Award
- served as a team captain
- was named to the 2020 Shrine Bowl roster for South Carolina
- helped lead his team to a 6-2 record when he was a senior
- named to the National Honors Society in both 2019 and 2020
- was ranked as the No. 9 center nationally
- was ranked the No. 8 player in the state of South Carolina (highest among offensive linemen)
By his senior year, Gentry had schools offering him a place with them and lining up to sign him. Some of these include East Carolina Pirates, Appalachian State Mountaineers, UCF Knights, Virginia Tech Hokies, Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, FIU Golden Panthers and North Carolina State.
In May 2020, he committed to North Carolina State University. By December 2020, he had signed a letter of intent to play football as the offensive lineman for the Wolfpack.
He enrolled in the school in January 2021 and is currently a freshman at North Carolina State University, studying forest management as his major. His jersey number is 71, so be sure to look out for him in future games.
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