Provo • Andrew Gentry was not sure if he would be wanted at BYU.
The offensive lineman, after all, was doubly recruited by the school’s football program as a four-star prospect in the class of 2020, but committed to the University of Virginia and then the University of Michigan instead of joining the Cougars.
After three years with the Wolverines, though, Gentry found his way back to BYU. He credits his December transfer to coach Kalani Sitake, who had no hurt feelings after Gentry’s initial rejection.
“He never changed,” Gentry said. “I originally committed to Virginia and then to Michigan and then to BYU. A lot of people could’ve been really upset at that, a lot of coaches could’ve said no — especially with the family connections I had — but coach Sitake was great and I’m really excited to be here playing for him.”
Gentry already had deep ties to BYU even before he took the field for the first time in his new practice jersey. His brother, J.T., was part of Sitake’s first recruiting class in 2016. His father, Todd, played basketball for the Cougars in the late 1980s, and his grandfather, Lowell Madsen, was on the football team in the 1950s.
There was no pressure from his family to continue the BYU legacy, Gentry said, but now that it is a reality, it adds a special layer to the final two seasons of his college eligibility.
“I grew up watching the Cougs every Saturday,” Gentry said. “It is a full-circle moment for sure. There are a lot of pictures of me at BYU games, so it’s fun now to be here as a player.”
The Colorado native is also familiar with the area. Gentry, who is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served his mission in Orem. Gentry was originally supposed to go to Argentina, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was relocated a 15-minute drive away from Provo.
“I met some amazing people, got used to the Utah County area,” Gentry said. “I believe that God does everything for a reason, and I know that is where I was supposed to be for those two years. Whether that was preparing to come here, preparing me to go to Michigan — it is all part of the plan.”
Gentry carried his faith to Michigan and let it guide his journey. He played 26 games for the Wolverines across the offensive line and on special teams with two career starts. Gentry won the College Football Playoff National Championship in January 2024 with Michigan, too.
He learned what it takes to win at the highest level and is now leading with that experience at BYU.
(Jaren Wilkey | BYU Photo) Head coach Kalani Sitake observes BYU football practice in Provo, Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
“I’ve seen a lot of college football. Played against some really good guys both in practice and in games. I know what it takes to win a national championship — I’ve been on a team that’s done it,” Gentry said. “That is what we’re striving for here. We’re working for that every single day.”
Returning to the state where Gentry served his mission, and being rooted in an LDS community at BYU, is an off-field advantage he has embraced as well.
“It was cool to stand out a little bit at Michigan and have some really cool missionary opportunities out there to explain to people what I was doing for the two years. And then also bringing guys to Church with me, explaining why I lived my life a little bit differently,” Gentry said.
“Now coming out here, it’s been really nice to be on a team where everybody is going to the same church on Sunday, and a lot of people hold the same standards as you. No matter what, love my teammates in both places.”
Standing at 6-foot-8, 315 pounds, Gentry is primed to have an immediate impact for BYU. The team commenced its fall camp last month ahead of the season opener against Portland State at LaVell Edwards Stadium on Aug. 30. Offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick said he expects Gentry to be the starting right tackle.
Sitake is happy to finally have Gentry in the system after his roller coaster recruitment.
“He is a stud. He is a great leader. He is an amazing talent, so it is good to have him here playing for us,” Sitake said. “It’s nice seeing a guy that big who can move like that. He has a lot of strength and ability, so it is going to be fun to see him playing for us at tackle.”
Sitake’s team is in a different spot than it was when Gentry was first entering the college football ranks. For one, BYU football gave up its independent status to join the Big 12 in the 2023-24 season. The Cougars finished 11-2 during their second year in the conference.
The winning pedigree and funding have been elevated. Gentry took notice.
“My first go around picking Michigan, [BYU] wasn’t in a Power Four conference yet. The money and the resources really weren’t there yet — it didn’t feel like there was a huge urgency to win,” Gentry said. “But now, the way that coach Sitake has built the staff, being in the Big 12, the way the administration has been — we’re in a great position to win. I wanted to go to a program that wants to win. They want to win here, everybody is working, doing the right thing.”
With that comes strong rehabilitation plans for the players. That was a priority for Gentry when transferring, he said, as he is coming off a leg injury from October that ended his season last year.
Gentry gave praise to Terrance Motley, the director of football rehabilitation, who has been with him every day. Motley is working to not only get Gentry back to where he was, but better than before, the new Cougar said. Gentry said he has been “feeling good” through the first week of camp.
The internal support is there for Gentry and his BYU teammates. Now it is time to show the group’s evolution on the field.
“The coaching staff that they have here, the field, the pads, everything. Everything is top-notch. I’ve been at a top-notch program for three years, and now I’ve been here,” Gentry said. “Obviously, there are nuances and differences, but at the end of the day, everyone is competing to win and BYU is at that level.”