LOS ANGELES — USC linebacker Eric Gentry has yet to speak with the media this fall camp, but his teammates and coaches can’t say enough about him.

The sophomore transferred from Arizona State to USC back in the spring and has been transitioning seamlessly and learning quickly.

“The amount of ball he’s been able to digest so far has been pretty impressive,” said inside linebackers coach Brian Odom. “When he can get on the same page as the other guys — he’s improving every day — I’m excited about his future.”

Odom said the coaching staff has been giving him a lot of reps to help him learn quickly and see what he’s physically capable of.

Even when running gassers at the end of a hot, two-hour practice, Gentry gallops to the front of the pack with energy and a competitive drive.

“It’s really deceptive,” Odom said. “He’s really quick and has tremendous balance for his length. You don’t see a lot of guys like that with his proportions.”

Gentry’s athleticism is paired with a 6-foot-6, 200-pound frame. At first glance, he seems wiry, but in action, he uses his long limbs to increase his coverage area.

At ASU, he was an early enrollee and became freshman All-American after ranking sixth on the team in tackles with 45. Although he has yet to show what he can do in a game with the Trojans, he did nab an interception at the fall camp scrimmage.

“With the plays, he’s been catching on,” said linebacker  Raesjon Davis. “He’s always learning. That’s been a main thing because he got here later than everyone else. So him getting the playbook was a big thing.”

Davis, another sophomore, as well as redshirt senior Tuasivi Nomura and junior Chris Thompson Jr. can all help Gentry pick up on USC’s systems. Ralen Goforth is near the top of the group in terms of production and experience with 105 tackles in 29 career games.

Shane Lee, another transfer, rounds out the unit with three years of experience at Alabama under his belt.

The linebacker corps is balanced in terms of experience, creating an atmosphere that a young transfer like Gentry can thrive in as fall camp wraps up on Saturday.

“You love his instincts and he’s getting more comfortable in our system, making less mistakes each day,” head coach Lincoln Riley said. “From an offensive perspective, guys like that are a pain and he’s doing a really nice job.”

Tuipulotu takes lead on well-conditioned defense

Amidst new transfers, new coaches and new systems, Tuli Tuipulotu and his explosiveness have been a constant through the changes at USC.

“The guy that continues to stand out every day is Tuli,” defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said. “He’ll lead from the front, all he does is play hard. So without question, he’s been a real standout.”

The junior defensive lineman will play a major role this season after last season’s defense allowed nearly 170 rushing yards per game and about 242 passing yards per game.

That same season, Tuipulotu started every game and had 48 tackles and a team-high 5.5 sacks to earn All-Pac-12 first team honors.

But first, there are gassers to be run. Grinch said on Thursday morning that he wants to have the “best-conditioned defense in the country,” which means running during and after every practice.

“No matter how in shape you are, you’re gonna get tired,” Tuipulotu said. “So we’re conditioning every day just trying to get better.”