ODU Senior wide receiver Prentice Gill set to graduate
Written By: Jordan Jones
Staff Writer
Prentice Gill has been a steady and consistent part of the Old Dominion University football team throughout his career. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound wide receiver senior leader has compiled 26 catches for 311 yards and three touchdowns.
Gill is well traveled, having started his collegiate career playing in California at Los Angeles Harbor College. He helped his team to a 9-2 record and a No. 9 ranking in Southern California.
Gill has a unique perspective as far as what kind of legacy he will leave as a Monarch.
“I think I won’t just have a legacy as an individual, but more of a legacy as a team, because of how special this year is, our first in the conference and how well we’re doing.” The Monarchs are 8-2 overall and rankedeleventh in the coaches and sports network polls.
Gill has been able to bring a lot to the table during his time on the football team. As a leader, he has been able to have a unique impact on the team and on the younger wide receivers in particular.
“I feel like I brought a different mentality, when I first came here, everyone was real relaxed and close, so no one was really competing much. Since I came and started doing my thing, it brought friendly competition,” Gill said.
During his tenure here at Old Dominion, the Monarchs have adopted a phrase CBS, which stands for “Can’t Be Stopped.”
Being in college, one is likely to meet people who will have a huge impact on your life. Gill said that aside from football, he will miss his best friend Tory Martin, a student here at Old Dominion University.
As far as plans after college, Gill has a few options at his disposal. Depending on whether or not he chooses to stay in Virginia or go back to California, his former junior college coach at Los Angeles Harbor will bring him on as the coach of the wide receivers. If he were to choose to decline this offer, Gill will stay in Virginia and look for different job opportunities.
Gill has had some strong motivators in his life while at Old Dominion. One in particular is his wide receiver coach Malloy. “When I first got here, he pulled me in his office and said that a lot of players had already made their marks and he told me I would have to work twice as hard to get on the field.”
Gill will take away many lessons from the coaching staff here at ODU.
“Coach Malloy always tells us to keep playing, keep playing,” he said, “he always tells us that, even in life, if things are going wrong, just play the next play and don’t worry about things you can’t control.”
Gill admitted that special teams coach Zyskowski taught him perfection and to do your best. Gill said that his favorite game of his career is when Old Dominion faced off against Jacksonville University last year.
“It was my first game and I was real nervous and anxious. I didn’t start, which made me more nervous, but when I did get in, I played real well.”
Gill has been a great leader on and off the gridiron and a great model for how student-athletes should conduct themselves. His legacy at Old Dominion will travel further than the grid-iron.
Photo By Elaina Ellis
