UCLA landed the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Year on Sunday, Aug. 23, when former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick committed to the Bruins after a Louisiana judge's temporary restraining order granted him a fifth college season.

Hendrick recorded 106 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles at JMU in 2025. He went undrafted in the 2026 NFL draft and tried out at rookie minicamps with the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs without signing. Now he reunites in Westwood with head coach Bob Chesney and defensive coordinator Colin Hitschler, both of whom coached him at James Madison.

He is the 11th former JMU player to follow Chesney to UCLA, according to the New York Post.

The court ruling

Louisiana's 19th Judicial District Court issued the temporary restraining order on Wednesday, Aug. 19, covering Hendrick and 15 other football players. The order allows them to enter the transfer portal and play a fifth season, provided they repay any money received as professionals and terminate their contracts before suiting up for a college game. The NCAA has until Aug. 31 to show cause why a continuing preliminary injunction should not be granted, The Athletic reported.

The Louisiana ruling goes further than a separate Colorado order issued July 31 by U.S. District Judge Charlotte Sweeney, which granted fifth-year eligibility but did not permit transfers. A federal appeals court stayed the Colorado order on Friday, Aug. 21, making the Louisiana TRO the operative legal vehicle for Hendrick's return.

Whether the Louisiana ruling will face its own challenge remains unclear. The TRO lasts 10 days, meaning it expires around Aug. 29, days before the Sept. 5 opener.

What it means for the Bruins

The pickup directly targets UCLA's biggest defensive weakness. The Bruins allowed 190.4 rushing yards per game during the 2025 season, 18th worst in the nation, according to the Los Angeles Times. JMU's defense, anchored by Hendrick, allowed just 85.1 yards per game on the ground, fifth best nationally.

Chesney appeared to telegraph the move earlier this month. "There's like one guy that's clean as can be to be able to come back," Chesney said without naming the player. "Everybody else has issues with agents and camps and, you know, all the things that came into it."

Oklahoma transfer Sammy Omosigho had been handling middle linebacker duties since spring practice. With Hendrick slotting in, Omosigho could slide to the weakside spot he played during three years at Oklahoma. Fifth-year linebacker Jalen Woods, a St. John Bosco High product, may drop to the second team alongside JMU transfer Drew Spinogatti and senior Donavyn Pellot.

Hendrick reportedly chose UCLA over Virginia Tech and Cal. That Cal was in the mix adds a subplot: UCLA opens the season Saturday, Sept. 5, at California at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. The home opener follows Sept. 12 against San Diego State at the Rose Bowl.

Bruin Report Online reported Sunday that Hendrick's exact arrival date in Westwood had not been finalized.