Even as he welcomed Trent Hendrick to his team, UCLA coach Bob Chesney acknowledged that adding a star linebacker who had brushed up with the NFL could get messy.
When Chesney was asked Monday about the possibility of Hendrick’s restored eligibility being overturned, the coach said, “Well, it still can realistically.”
A day later, that seemed like a real possibility for a few hours.
The Big Ten adopted a rule barring the eligibility of players under certain scenarios – underclassmen with remaining eligibility who declared for the NFL draft and didn’t withdraw within 72 hours; those who signed with an NFL team; and those who were added to NFL rosters.
The good news for Hendrick and UCLA: He doesn’t fall under any of those categories.
While Hendrick did not appear on a roster or sign a contract, he did enter the 2026 NFL Draft – albeit at a time when the former James Madison standout believed, as a senior, he had exhausted his collegiate eligibility and had no other options.
Chesney said Monday that Hendrick participated in the rookie portion of organized team activities with the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs but was not a participant in summer training camp nor a member of any team’s roster.
In other words: Hendrick should be fully cleared by the new Big Ten rule.
“We support the Big Ten’s adoption of the new professional football players rule and understand the importance of having clear and consistent eligibility standards across the conference,” UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said in a statement.
“We have been in communication with the Big Ten throughout this process, and our student-athletes are eligible under the guidelines adopted today. We are excited to turn our full attention to the upcoming season and our opener vs. California on Sept. 5.”
Hendrick, the reigning Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year, continued to practice with the Bruins on Tuesday as the Big Ten voted to adopt its new rule.
Hendrick had been cleared to return to college last week after being part of a group of players granted a fifth season of eligibility as part of a Louisiana court ruling.
Two of those players – Cleveland’s Dae’Quan Wright and New Orleans’ Zxavian Harris – left their teams in hope of joining Lane Kiffin at LSU after terminating their pro contracts and repaying any earnings.
The NCAA on Tuesday criticized recent court rulings, contending in a statement that they were causing chaos in college athletics.
“Courts across the country granting relief to ineligible athletes who already had every opportunity to compete in college – sometimes without even having a hearing – are failing to appreciate the destabilizing effect their rulings are having on college sports,” the NCAA said in its statement.
UCLA defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler suggested that Hendrick should be immediately able to contribute because he was staying ready for a chance to keep playing.
“He was begging for an opportunity to get a tryout in the league and it’s just another opportunity to get it,” Hitschler said of Hendrick joining the Bruins, “so he was working out, he was in great shape, he’s a kid that lives, eats and sleeps football and God blessed him with an opportunity here, let’s go see what he can make of it.”
Hendrick is not fully in the clear because the court decision reinstating his eligibility could always be overturned. But there’s also the possibility that he could fight any decision that goes against him by doing what he’s already done – file a lawsuit.
It’s all just part of the madness that’s enveloped college sports in 2026.
“I think everybody almost at this stage of the game has seen it all and what other curveballs can you throw at them?” Chesney said Monday. “I think [players’] ability to adapt and overcome probably exists more with this generation more than ever – the same with coaches. You know, I didn’t sign up for half of the stuff that’s happening, but here we are.”
