Hendrix attended DeSoto High School.[1] As a senior, he received All-district honors at tight end. He committed to enroll at the University of Tennessee, along with his teammates Wesley Pryor, Troy Hale, and Brian Hunt.
As a sophomore in 1984, he played mostly on special teams and short-yardage situations in three tight end alignments.
As a junior in 1985, he was the backup tight end behind Jeff Smith, posting three receptions for 38 yards and 2 touchdowns.
As a senior in 1986, he entered the season as the starting tight end, registering seven receptions for 107 yards. He finished his college career with 10 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns.[2]
After the NFLPA strike was declared on the third week of the 1987 season, those contests were canceled (reducing the 16 game season to 15) and the NFL decided that the games would be played with replacement players. In September, he was signed to be a part of the Dallas Cowboys replacement team that was given the mock name "Rhinestone Cowboys" by the media.[5] He was the backup tight end behind Rich Borresen and played mostly on the special teams units. He was released at the end of the strike on October 20.[6]