In recent years, college football has adopted a more professional feel. It began with the adoption of NIL, allowing players to capitalize financially for their skills on the gridiron but UCLA Bruins head coach Bob Chesney is eyeing even more development for the sport.
The NFL takes advantage of the NCAA developing hundreds of prospects every year to help keep the league filled with talent. Chesney is eyeing a Triple-A/MLB style partnership for college football and the NFL
.The Trent Hendrick situation is a prime example of that. After appearing in a pair of rookie camps this offseason, Hendrick received an additional year of eligibility, which gives him a chance to show off his skillset in the Big Ten Conference before trying to make the leap
to the NFL again next offseason.
Both the Big Ten and the SEC has announced agreements that will keep players who have signed professional contracts from returning to their conferences but that doesn’t mean that the NFL and college football can’t help each other grow.
“We’re slowly moving to more of a Triple-A team for the NFL in a way, and I think just is what it is,” Chesney told On3. “There’s probably more stability in the NFL.”
Chesney of course isn’t envisioning the Los Angeles Rams optioning down professional players to pull up a UCLA player. But more so viewing things in the light that these student-athletes are already being compensated for their skill, meaning that they deserve the chance to have professional-level development as well, which is what Chesney and his staff is looking to bring for the Bruins.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Bob Chesney compares college football to the Triple-A for the NFL
