Trent Hendrick Makes History at UCLA
Walking onto UCLA’s practice field on Monday morning, Trent Hendrick made a notable mark in the school’s history.
He became the first player from UCLA to have practiced with an NFL team prior to joining the Bruins.
Coach Bob Chesney expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “He’s a nice addition of a kid that we trust and believe in as part of our family,” referring to Hendrick, who had previously been a standout at James Madison, as he began acclimating to his new team during the last week of fall training camp.
Unlike tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who is anticipated to play for LSU this coming season if he clears waivers after his release from the Cleveland Browns, Hendrick’s path was a bit smoother; he didn’t have to navigate similar hurdles because he went undrafted and didn’t sign with an NFL team.
After participating in practices with the Bruins last winter, Hendrick attended spring rookie minicamps with the Browns and the Kansas City Chiefs. Ultimately, he rejoined the Bruins after a group of players, including him, secured a court order allowing them an extra year of college eligibility.
Chesney expects Hendrick, the reigning Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year, to participate in the upcoming season opener against California. Notably, adding Hendrick did not impact the Bruins’ roster limits or scholarship allocations.
Chesney mentioned he was open to adding Hendrick late in the process because he believes he will be a significant asset. “He’s a natural-born leader, he is a guy that understands the culture,” he added, noting Hendrick’s unique position as someone who has seen the program evolve since the departure of the former coaching staff.
One of the first things Hendrick had to do was pick a new jersey number. Since the No. 5 he wore at James Madison is retired in honor of safety Kenny Easley, he opted for a blue No. 51 jersey. He greeted teammates and coaches alike with a warm series of hugs and hand slaps during practice.
An interaction with Bob Chesney Sr., the coach’s father and a volunteer with the defensive line, ended with a cheerful exclamation from the elder Chesney.
Hendrick didn’t join in the short team period that reporters were allowed to observe, with Chesney mentioning that he still had some progressions to complete before engaging in full padded practices.
Joining at this late stage of training camp meant that Hendrick started at the bottom; he took the last rep in a drill, following other linebackers like Sammy Omosigho and Jalen Woods.
The potential impact of someone who recorded 106 tackles last season—along with seven tackles for loss and three sacks—is certainly intriguing. There’s a sense of anticipation about how this will affect his new teammates.
Chesney reassured, “This is not a guy we don’t know, this is not a guy we don’t trust,” emphasizing the importance of communicating Hendrick’s role and expectations to the team. He explained that it’s vital for the players to understand that every position requires hard work, regardless of past achievements.
Bringing Hendrick to the Bruins didn’t happen without considerable effort, as they reportedly competed against schools like Cal and Virginia Tech for his commitment. However, the evolving landscape of college sports worked in their favor.
Chesney remarked, “We’re slowly moving to more of a triple-A team for the NFL in a way,” suggesting a shift in how college football operates, noting that while there’s a bit more stability in the NFL, changes are likely looming at all levels.
