New Mexico native Zach Gentry is signing a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. Details are still to come, but the New Mexico native will be on the 53 man roster Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts and wearing number 88.
The move comes just a matter of months after being let go by the Steelers, where he spent the first four years of his career. Drafted out of the University of Michigan in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Gentry would go on to play in 41 games for Pittsburgh.
Since being let go, Gentry has made it his mission to continue his career in the NFL and spent time with both the Bengals and Raiders before being offered a new contract.
A New Mexico favorite, football runs in Gentry’s family. Before he became a star at El Dorado, Gentry’s family legacy has had an impact on the state. His older brother Sam Gentry was a member of the El Dorado football team before going on to the University of New Mexico, where he played both quarterback and punter for the Lobos.
The legacy didn’t begin there, though. Zach’s grandfather is none other than legendary high school coach Bill Gentry. Known as the Dean of Prep Coaches in New Mexico, Bill coached the Highland Hornets to three state championships over 31 years before retiring after 38 seasons and 305 career wins. He was later inducted into the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame, the UNM Hall of Honor, and is one of nine members of the NFHS Hall of Fame from New Mexico.
