I had a chance to catch up with former Xaverian quarterback Henry Hasselbeck on Wednesday after his commitment to UCLA. 

Hasselbeck has had quite the month. He won a state title on November 29th at Gillette Stadium and days later, he announced he was opening up his recruitment again. Hasselbeck committed to Michigan State earlier this year but when Mel Tucker was fired, he decided to look at other schools after the season ended. 

UCLA coach Chip Kelly did not waste any time in reaching out to Hasselbeck once he opened up his recruitment again. In fact, he was the first person to call Hasselbeck on the bus to congratulate him after the Super Bowl. 

Kelly would eventually do a home visit with Hasselbeck and Henry visited UCLA the following weekend.

Here is what Hasselbeck had to say regarding his meeting with Kelly, his visit and why he committed to UCLA.

NEFJ: What sealed the deal for you with UCLA? I know they made a late push after you opened up your recruitment. 

HH: “I wasn’t necessarily planning on choosing UCLA when I flew out there for my official visit, but when I got on campus I was blown away by the athletic history there. From Jackie Robinson to John Wooden and others, you can feel how special of a place it is.”

NEFJ: How do you feel about playing for Coach Kelly. What is the staff envisioning for in regards to competing for the starting job?

HH: “I only knew Chip Kelly because he is Chip Kelly, and every football fan knows who he is. But we got to know each other near the end of my season this year. He was the first person to call me after our Super Bowl win. It was a cool call to get on the bus in the parking lot at Gillette with all of my teammates.”

 “He visited me at Xaverian and at my house after the season. UCLA lost their QB coach to a promotion, so Chip Kelly was the QB’s coach during my official visit. Watching him coach the QB’s for bowl practice reminded me a lot of how I was coached at Xaverian. It felt like a great fit.”

NEFJ: Thoughts on going so far from home? How’s mom, dad and your sisters taking it? 

HH: “Being far from home doesn’t really bother me at all, but saying no to Boston College was really hard. I will always be a fan of BC. I have a lot of respect for those coaches and players, but I’m also excited for the challenge that UCLA will bring. Going to school with my sisters Annabelle and Mallory would’ve been really cool, but I’ll always root for them and their teams no matter what.”

Hasselbeck will have every opportunity to play right away. Especially with former UCLA quarterback Dante Moore transferring to Oregon. 

If he does get the opportunity, he is ready. He proved the past two seasons that he does not shy away from challenges or competition.