Trey Hendrickson Bio
Trey Hendrickson is an American professional football defensive end currently playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Florida Atlantic University before being selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Hendrickson has established himself as a premier pass rusher, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and the 2024 Deacon Jones Award for leading the league in sacks.
Early Life and Background
Trey Hendrickson was born on December 5, 1994, in Orlando, Florida. He grew up in a football-influenced family, with his father, Collie Hendrickson, having played college football at Missouri Southern State University. Hendrickson attended Apopka High School in Florida, where he developed his skills as a defensive player. His early exposure to football and athletic environment laid the foundation for his future career in the sport.
Following high school, Hendrickson enrolled at Florida Atlantic University. There, he majored in criminal justice while playing for the Florida Atlantic Owls football team from 2013 to 2016. His college career was marked by steady improvement, culminating in recognition as the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.
Path to American Football
Hendrickson’s collegiate performance attracted attention from NFL scouts, particularly after his standout defensive play in his senior year. He participated in the 2017 East-West Shrine Game, where he was named the defensive MVP, boosting his draft stock. His combination of size, speed, and technique made him a promising prospect for professional teams.
In the 2017 NFL Draft, Hendrickson was selected in the third round with the 103rd overall pick by the New Orleans Saints. This marked the beginning of his professional career, transitioning from college football to the national stage of the NFL.
Trey Hendrickson Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Hendrickson signed a four-year contract with the New Orleans Saints in 2017. He began his rookie season as a backup defensive end, competing for playing time behind established players. He made his professional debut in September 2017 and recorded his first sack shortly thereafter. Over his four seasons with the Saints, Hendrickson gradually increased his impact, culminating in a 13.5 sack season in 2020. His development was marked by key performances against top quarterbacks and recognition by his peers, including a ranking on the NFL Top 100 Players list and selection to the Pro Football Writers Association All-NFL team.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2021–Present)
In March 2021, Hendrickson signed a lucrative four-year, $60 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. He was immediately named the starting right defensive end and quickly made an impact by breaking the Bengals’ franchise record for sacks in a single season with 14 in his first year. Hendrickson’s performance helped propel the Bengals to the Super Bowl LVI, where he recorded a sack despite the team’s narrow loss.
Hendrickson continued to excel in subsequent seasons, earning Pro Bowl selections each year from 2021 through 2024. He set a new franchise record with 17.5 sacks in the 2024 season, leading the NFL in sacks and earning the prestigious Deacon Jones Award. His aggressive pass-rushing style and ability to disrupt opposing offenses have made him a cornerstone of the Bengals’ defense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hendrickson is known for his explosive first step and relentless pursuit of quarterbacks. His combination of size, speed, and technique allows him to excel particularly on passing downs. He is adept at using a variety of pass-rush moves and maintains strong endurance throughout games. His partnership with the Bengals’ defensive coaching staff has enhanced his strategic approach to attacking offensive lines.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Hendrickson’s career highlights are breaking the Bengals’ single-season sack record twice, first in 2021 and again in 2024. His four-sack game against the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Hendrickson’s consistent high-level play has made him one of the most feared defensive ends in the NFL.
Trey Hendrickson Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Trey Hendrickson has accumulated numerous individual accolades and has been instrumental in his teams’ defensive successes. While defensive ends do not accumulate wins in the traditional sense, Hendrickson’s sack totals and forced turnovers have contributed significantly to his teams’ victories and playoff appearances.
New Orleans Saints Highlights
During his tenure with the Saints, Hendrickson developed from a backup player into a key defensive contributor. His 13.5 sacks in the 2020 season marked a career high at the time and helped the Saints maintain a competitive defense. His performances earned him recognition as one of the league’s emerging defensive talents.
Cincinnati Bengals Highlights
Since joining the Bengals, Hendrickson has become a dominant force on defense. He set franchise records for sacks in both 2021 and 2024, with 14 and 17.5 sacks respectively. His impact was felt in critical playoff games, including the Bengals’ run to Super Bowl LVI. Hendrickson’s ability to consistently pressure quarterbacks has been a defining feature of his Bengals career.
Trey Hendrickson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Trey Hendrickson’s father, Collie Hendrickson, played college football at Missouri Southern State University, indicating a family background with athletic roots. This lineage likely influenced Trey’s early interest and development in football.
Personal Life
Hendrickson is known to be a Christian and maintains a private personal life. There is no public information available regarding a spouse or children. He majored in criminal justice during his college years, reflecting interests beyond football.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Trey Hendrickson remains a key player for the Cincinnati Bengals. Contract negotiations have been a notable off-field storyline, with Hendrickson holding out during training camp before agreeing to a contract restructure that increased his 2025 salary. On the field, he continues to demonstrate his pass-rushing prowess, maintaining his status as one of the NFL’s top defensive ends. His performance is expected to be critical to the Bengals’ defensive success as they aim for playoff contention.