A new Big Ten rule created uncertainty around the eligibility of UCLA football's newest player addition.
Turns out, he's good to go.
Fifth-year linebacker Trent Hendrick will be eligible to play for the Bruins in 2026, regardless of the conference moving to prohibit players with NFL experience to return to college football.
The Big Ten rule, which conference athletic directors unanimously approved on Tuesday, Aug. 25, applies to anyone who declared for the NFL draft and didn’t withdraw, appeared on an NFL roster or signed a contract with a professional team.
The ruling, however, doesn't affect Hendricks. He did put his name in the NFL draft and was undrafted. But that move was due to him exhausting his college eligibility, rather than being an underclassman
leaving for professional football with eligibility remaining. He participated in NFL minicamps with the Kansas Chiefs and Cleveland Browns but did not sign a contract with any team.
The Big Ten addressed it in its announcement that the measure concerns "players who have signed a professional contract, were on a professional roster at any point or declared for the NFL Draft as an underclassman without withdrawing, from maintaining eligibility for athletic competition at a conference institution."
Hendricks doesn't fit those criteria. He was able to play an extra year when he was one of several players granted a temporary restraining order in a Louisiana lawsuit against the NCAA on Wednesday, Aug. 19. That allowed him to enter the transfer portal and led to a reunion with old coach Bob Chesney, who is in his first year at UCLA.
“We support the Big Ten’s adoption of the new professional football players rule and understand the importance of having clear and consistent eligibility standards across the conference," UCLA athletics director Martin Jarmod said in a statement. "We have been in communication with the Big Ten throughout this process, and our student-athletes are eligible under the guidelines adopted today."
Hendrick was first spotted at UCLA practice on Monday, Aug. 24 and was still out with the Bruins following the news of the Big Ten rule.
The former James Madison player had 106 tackles with seven tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles during his 2025 season when he was selected Sun Belt defensive player of the year and the Dukes reached the College Football Playoff.
Chesney said on Monday Hendrick's addition to the team will make a big difference as he bolsters a defense in need of playmakers.
"There's a lot in there that he brings to the table and knows the system. He can jump in there right away," he said. "He's a nice added addition of a kid that we trust and believe in as part of our family."
UCLA opens its season against California on Sept. 5.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UCAL player with NFL experience still eligible after Big Ten rule. Here's why
