Chicago Bears undrafted rookie Tanner Gentry isn’t well known to the common fan. That’s a shame. Anybody who bothered to catch a game featuring the Wyoming football program would’ve noticed a young wide receiver donning the #4. Though the team was known best for its power running game, he was the guy taking advantage over the top for big plays.
After improving steadily through his first three seasons in college, Gentry exploded in 2016. He caught 72 passes for 1,326 yards and 14 touchdowns. Want an idea of how productive and reliable he was in that aerial attack? The next closest receivers on the depth chart had 614 yards and seven touchdowns. Barely half the production that he was good for.
GM Ryan Pace said when scoping out top talent from smaller programs it’s important to note whether that player was dominant. Gentry has the stats and the game film to prove it. There were multiple instances of him popping wide open thanks to a crisply run route that totally fooled defenders. Of course that didn’t stop him from making the tough catches either.
The guy can make plays, and after losing Alshon Jeffery it’s important the Bears find help at the wide receiver position. So what about Gentry the person? No doubt he has an interesting backstory to offer. He took some time away from preparing for camp to fill Sports Mockery in on who he is and what he plans to do in Chicago.
So when did you first start getting into football?
“I was nine when I started playing. My dad played at Western State college. He loves football and has been throwing me the ball ever since I can remember. I grew to love the game because of him.”
Was wide receiver always your position of choice or did you have another?
“I played quarterback growing up until I got to high school and my coaches told me they wanted me to try receiver. I have loved the position ever since.”
Why did you choose to go to Wyoming?
“I only had scholarships from Air Force and Wyoming. I didn’t think I was cut out for the military so I chose Wyoming. It was tough at first but ended up being some of the best years of my life so far.”
How was it tough?
“Just adjusting from living in a big city to going to a small one. I’m also a very big family person so it was tough to be away from home, but after making some life long friends it made it much better.”
Is there a moment or game that stands out the most?
“I think when we beat Colorado State at their home stadium. That is our big rival at Wyoming and I had lost to them the three years prior. It felt good to get the Bronze Boot back. I think (my favorite play was) when we ran a flea flicker and I scored about a 50-yard TD.”
Was there a coach or teammate you feel was instrumental to your success?
“I had a lot of receiver coaches help me develop into the player I am today, and my quarterback Josh Allen really helped me to have the senior season in college that I did.”
Did you expect to go undrafted? What teams were interested in signing you?
“My agent and I had heard that I had a chance to be selected in the 6th-7th round but it didn’t happen, so we found the best fit for me to go in free agency and that was Chicago. They didn’t draft a receiver and they were interested in what I can bring to the team. I feel like it’s a place where I can come in and compete to play. My agent was talking to teams but it came down to Baltimore and Chicago.”
Among your skills, which do you feel are your biggest strengths?
“I would say my hands, strength and ability to make plays on contested catches. I feel like I do a good job of creating separation as well.”
Who is your biggest football inspiration? Who do you model your game after?
“I would say Dez Bryant is a guy I like to model my game after. Big, physical receiver who competes for the ball extremely well and plays with tons of passion.”
What’s your ultimate goal in football?
“First, my ultimate goal is to make the Bears team come September. After that, just do everything I can to help the team win and eventually be one of the top receivers in the league.”
What about after football?
“I hope to open a sports performance gym and train athletes at the high school, college and professional level. Training with my trainer since high school got me really interested and having him mentor me and teach me about the profession has been great.”
What do you do for fun?
“I’m very big into video games. Love all sports game and shooters as well. Madden is always great but I like Call of Duty, Battlefield and all the Tom Clancy games.”
Any guilty pleasures like a celebrity crush, addiction to candy etc.?
“Haha. I don’t think I have any of those.”
In truth Tanner is a down-to-earth person. He’s a religious man who believes in the old Vince Lombardi credo of faith, family and football. It’s hard to argue with it. The mentality brought him a ton of success at Wyoming. Now he’s taking aim at having a similar road to success in Chicago. Don’t count him out of the fight either.
While the ring may be filled with a lot of combatants this 2017 season, the starpower is lacking. Outside of Kevin White and Cameron Meredith, there are few on the roster one can consider bulletproof. It is often in situations like this where an undrafted free agent can thrive. Meredith himself should know. He was one back in 2015. There is no reason to think Gentry can’t follow that same path.
It should be a lot of fun watching him go for it.
