Virginia Tech football: Hokies in the mix for JMU linebacker

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It was another wild week for college sports. Earlier this week, 16 former college football players were granted a temporary restraining order, allowing them to return to school for an extra year of eligibility. Several of those players have already entered the NCAA transfer portal.

One of those players, Dae’Quan Wright, spent his first two seasons at Virginia Tech before transferring to Ole Miss in 2024. After going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft, Wright signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. He was waived on Aug. 10 and claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns. Yes, that is correct; Wright is currently on an NFL roster and potentially returning to college football.

Another player returning to college football is JMU linebacker Trent Hendrick. A native of Richmond, Hendrick played four seasons for the Dukes, starting a total of 32 games. Last season, the 6-foot-1, 225-pound Hendrick was the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, as he made 106 tackles and three sacks.

He will have plenty of suitors, including UCLA, where his former JMU coach, Bob Chesney, is now the head coach. The Bruins are standing out, according to college football insider Pete Nakos of On3, but Virginia Tech is also in the mix.

Sources tell On3 that Hendrick is receiving interest from a range of Power Four schools, but the top school to know at this point is UCLA. He has deep connections to the staff and played a key role in Bob Chesney and James Madison’s College Football Playoff appearance last season. Now the core of coaches he was with are in Westwood. Hendrick is the 2025 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year. Virginia Tech and Cal are also in the mix, sources told On3.

The Hokies would make sense, considering they just lost Gabe Williams. But Virginia Tech will have Noah Chambers and Kaleb Spencer as its top two linebackers, so Hendrick may have a better shot elsewhere.

Don’t be surprised if the Hokies push for Hendrick, but, as of now, UCLA should be considered the favorite.

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