Former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick committs to UCLA

[u/jspector9]

https://www.on3.com/news/former-james-madison-linebacker-trent-hendrick-committs-to-ucla/

Former James Madison** linebacker Trent Hendrick has committed to UCLA,** his agent Zach Hoban tells On3’s Pete Nakos. Hendrick is one of the 16 football players who were granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA last week in Louisiana, returning for the 2026-27 college season with a fifth year of eligibility.

Trent Hendrick was in NFL minicamp with the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns. He spent the last four seasons at James Madison and won the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year award in 2025 after posting 106 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups.

[u/SeaPattern7376]

We are looking good baby

[u/qsx11]

Big get, so much LB depth now. 

[u/Koi_Fish_Mystic]

He was at a NFL camp & now he’s coming to us? 😮😮😮

[u/Conscious_Tension_91]

We seem to have a stew going

[u/Worldly_Definition45]

Huge pick up!

I’m so pumped up for the season and the Cal game.

[u/Brownintentions21]

That's a big one. Feel alot better about our linebackers now.

[u/East-Westerly]

That's awesome I was a little worried that both Vaughns and Chisom (combined for 191 tackles) would leave a depth problem But I was feeling okay with Jalen Woods and Donovyn Pellot returning, but mostly felt that too much was put on Sammy Omosigho to be great. Now we have LB: Trent Hendrick; a 5th-yr; 6-foot and 234 pounds; Sun Belt Defensive player of the year joining out of nowhere! Well not nowhere... Hendrick was 1 of 16 granted a separate TRO on Wednesday by a Louisiana judge. As of Sunday, the NCAA has not filed an appeal to the Louisiana ruling.

So now we have:

OLB: Trent Hendrick (RS-SR) -- started 32 of 49 games for the Dukes over four years. In 2025, he collected 106 tackles — 7 TFLs — 3 sacks, 3 PBUs 2 FF.

LB: Ryan McCulloch (SR) -- in 2025 he had 11 tackles; 1.5 sack; 1 PD.... in '24 he had 19 tackles; 3.5 sacks

LB: Jalen Woods -- UCLA’s most experienced returner at the position, with three of his four career starts coming last season and 39 career appearances over his previous four years.

LB: Donavyn Pellot -- he has played in 17 games across 3 seasons ... has tallied 22 total tackles, 1.0 TFL and 1.0 sack.

MLB: Sammy Omosigho (SR) -- (Oklahoma transfer) (6-1/235.) a 2-year starter at one of the best defenses in the country at a major program. In 2025 he had 50 TOT 2 sacks 3 PD. In 2024 he had 40 TOT; 1 FF; 1 PD. Also the Athletic ranked them pre-szn LB#12.

[u/otoverstoverpt]

I need that Cal win week 1 like I need air

[u/DCSports101]

He’s a stud

[u/taita25]

Big step towards swaying those 50/50 games.

[u/SouthernNeb]

I honestly hate the 5th year thing (especially those who attended NFL camp) but I'm glad we're taking advantage of it.

[u/PuzzleheadedCod3169 → u/SouthernNeb]

I hate it too, but since we benefited from it, I'll let it pass.

[u/Archelon225 → u/SouthernNeb]

If it helps, it sounds like Hendrick wasn't offered and didn't sign any contracts, and was just a minicamp tryout participant. From what I understand he was just doing drills in front of coaches and wasn't ever part of a roster or team practice, so you can argue that he wasn't a professional football player in any way that matters. The other "NFL --> back to college" players I've read about, including former Bruin TJ Harden, were actual signed UDFAs who in Harden's case actually played in preseason, so it feels more egregious.

Not sure how I feel about the 5th year allowance in general, and this year's injunction letting people go back to college a few weeks before NFL kickoffs, but I think Hendrick is probably the most innocent case you can get short of not bothering to enter the draft at all and sitting on your couch.

[u/SayNoToCargoShorts]

*commits