Known as the “Big Brother” in the family that is the A&M offensive line, senior left tackle Avery Gennesy is a player that looks out for his teammates and leaves it all on the field.
Gennesy was born and raised in South Haven, Mississippi, and played junior college ball at East Mississippi Community College during the 2012 and 2013 seasons — helping the Lions win 12 games in 2013 en route to the Junior College National Championship.
Gennesy redshirted in 2014 when he transferred to A&M. In 2015, his junior season, he started every game for an offense that averaged 424.7 yards per game, 169.1 on the ground and 255.6 through the air.
Gennesy said joining the team and getting to start last season was a process that he took in stride.
“It was a long journey but I just took it day-by-day,” Genessy said. “I knew the situation I was in coming to the school. I had some great players in front of me who are now in the NFL, like Cedric Ogbuehi and Germain Ifedi. I just was taking it day-by-day and I knew the position I was putting myself in.”
So far in 2016, quarterback Trevor Knight has only been sacked four times in 215 pass attempts and has been able to throw for 1,500 yards and nine touchdowns while rushing for 502 yards and nine scores. He said he has high praise for the offensive line and the experienced guys in the trenches.
“Those guys have been incredible all year long — just with the way that they’ve gelled together and the way that they’ve played,” Knight said. “I credit that a lot to guys like Avery and guys like Jermaine Eluemunor — the older guys of the group, bringing those younger guys along and they’ve been great leaders there … They’re playing at a really high level.”
Knight isn’t the only one reaping the benefits of having Gennesy on the team. Freshman running back Trayveon Williams has rushed for over 700 yards and scored five times. Williams’ counterpart, junior Keith Ford, has gained 242 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Not only is Gennesy a great offensive linemen, but he’s a great teammate as well.
Senior right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor said Gennesy is like a brother to him and has helped him become a better player. The two transferred in at the same time — Eluemunor from Lackawanna College, a junior college in Scranton, Pennsylvania — and both redshirted in 2014.
“On the field he’s a leader,” Eluemunor said. “He’s the leader of the O-line and everyone looks up to him and everyone looks to him. And off the field he’s just a fun-loving guy, who you can play around with. He smiles a lot.”
The two talk trash to each other about whose junior college would’ve won if they played each other, Eluemunor said.
“We just joke around a bunch saying that his JUCO would beat my JUCO, if we were playing each other,” Eluemunor said. “But back in the day when I was playing, I know we would’ve whooped him. But I love Avery — he’s like a brother to me.”
Defense players like junior defensive end Myles Garrett notice the work Gennesy and the offensive line does during the week and in turn it helps the defense be ready for any SEC matchup.
“We know we have great players on our offensive line as well,” Garrett said. “So going against them everyday is going to help us prepare for any team — whether it’s Tennessee or Alabama.”
Gennesy said he doesn’t see himself as a leader, but rather conducts himself as an older brother.
“Probably laid back or being funny with them — just joking around,” Genessy said of his demeanor with his teammates. “Just trying to be that brother vibe. I really don’t say I’m a leader, I just say I’m a brother, just I’m with them and it’s just us as a group.”
Genessy has high draft stock as an NFL offensive lineman. If he were to be drafted, he would join the company of former Aggie standout offensive linemen like Ifedi, Ogbuehi, Luke Joeckel and more. As of now, Genessy is projected as third or fourth-round draft pick at No. 111, according to CBSSports.com.
The NFL Draft aside, Genessy and the No. 6 Aggies have a big matchup on Saturday as they hit the road to take on the No.1 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Gennesy said the Tide have a strong defensive line with players like Tim Williams and Jonathan Allen, but the O-line is ready to take those guys on.
“They’re pretty good players — very powerful, very fast,” Gennesy said. “But it’s nothing I haven’t seen or this O-line hasn’t seen, but we just have to come prepare each and every day and prepare like professionals and we’ll be fine.”
Gennesy said when his time playing at A&M is over, he’ll miss his teammates and playing with them.
“I’m going to miss these guys,” Gennesy said. “I wish I had another year to play with them, but I’m going stay in contact with them and do what I need to do.”