ARIZONA STATE FOOTBALL

ASU WR Ricky Pearsall, LB Eric Gentry enter transfer portal

Apr 21, 2022, 9:23 AM | Updated: 9:23 am

Arizona State wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (19) avoids a tackle by Wisconsin cornerback Dean Engram...

Arizona State wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (19) avoids a tackle by Wisconsin cornerback Dean Engram (6) during the second half of the Las Vegas Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/L.E. Baskow)

(AP Photo/L.E. Baskow)

Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and linebacker Eric Gentry have entered their names in the transfer portal, reports The Athletic’s Doug Haller.

Devil’s Digest adds that the move to the transfer portal is “entirely NIL driven.”

It’s a tough blow for the Sun Devils, who expected Pearsall and Gentry to be integral parts of the program this season.

Since November, ASU has lost 12 scholarship athletes to the transfer portal, including now-LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Pearsall was the team’s top returning wideout after leading the team with 48 receptions, 580 yards and four touchdowns his junior year (13 games played). Those were all career marks for the wide receiver. He also added 44 yards and a touchdown on six rushing attempts.

Pearsall originally joined the Sun Devils in 2019 out of Tempe’s Corona del Sol and was pegged as the team’s top returning offensive weapon this season.

Gentry was quick to make his presence known in his first and only season with ASU, recording 45 tackles (sixth among Sun Devil defenders), five of which were for losses, a sack and two passes defensed over 10 games played as a freshman. For his efforts, he earned freshman All-America accolades. He entered this season as an expected starter.

Per Pro Football Focus, Gentry posted the third-highest grade among Pac-12 linebackers with a 73.3.

The news of the pair’s decision comes after ASU quarterbacks coach and former graduate assistant Trey Anderson announced Wednesday that he is leaving the program.

Arizona State Football

Kenny Dillingham of the Arizona State Sun Devils at Rose Bowl Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Pasad...

Damon Allred

Former Brophy DL Zac Swanson transfers from Texas to Arizona State

Former Brophy defensive lineman Zac Swanson is transferring from Texas to Arizona State, he announced on Thursday.

1 day ago

Elijah Badger runs after the catch...

Arizona Sports

Reports: Former ASU Sun Devil Elijhah Badger planning to visit Arizona and Florida

Former Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Elijhah Badger is planning to visit Arizona and Florida, according to multiple reports.

1 day ago

Nebraska QB Jeff Sims...

Arizona Sports

Reports: Former Nebraska QB Jeff Sims expected to join Arizona State

Former Georgia Tech and Nebraska quarterback Jeff Sims is expected to enroll at Arizona State, reports 247 Sports.

2 days ago

Arizona State president Michael Crow...

Jesse Morrison

State of the Sun Devils Podcast: Does anyone want the Arizona State athletic director job?

On the latest edition of State of the Sun Devils, the guys discussed the latest news surrounding ASU's search for an athletic director.

4 days ago

Arizona State head football coach Kenny Dillingham in studio...

David Veenstra

Arizona State football adds 2025 3-star cornerback Dajon Hinton

Recruit Dajon Hinton from Saguaro High School in Scottsdale announced Sunday that he is committed to Arizona State.

5 days ago

J'Mond Tapp, who spent the past two seasons at Texas, announced his commitment to ASU on Sunday. (@...

David Veenstra

Arizona State football lands DE J’Mond Tapp from Texas

Arizona State football landed a versatile defensive threat in defensive end J'Mond Tapp, who spent the past two seasons at Texas.

5 days ago

ASU WR Ricky Pearsall, LB Eric Gentry enter transfer portal