UCLA’s Maddox Thinks About Going Pro : College football: Sophomore quarterback wants to see if the NFL is interested in him.

UCLA quarterback Tommy Maddox, a sophomore last season, is considering the possibility of making himself available for the NFL draft April 26-27, it was learned Thursday.

Underclassmen may become eligible for the draft under revised NFL rules that went into effect in 1990.

Maddox, 20, made it clear that he is merely exploring whether to forgo his junior and senior seasons at UCLA, and has not reached a decision.

“Right now, the thing I want to do is look into it and see what the possibilities are (in this year’s NFL draft),” Maddox said. “I’m just on the outside trying to look in and see what my marketability is and what people are thinking about me now.

“Anyone who plays college football is always curious where they stand with the NFL, and I’m certainly one of them.

“I want to make sure that I’m aware of what’s out there, what’s going on and what people think of me. I don’t think anybody can say that’s wrong.”

UCLA Coach Terry Donahue could not be reached for comment on Maddox’s statements.

Wayne Maddox, Tommy’s father, said: “He is just considering his options and marketability in regard to the NFL draft.”

One factor in Maddox’s sudden pro interest could be his impending marriage to his high school girlfriend, Jennifer O’Dell. He confirmed that they will be married on March 21.

Maddox became UCLA’s starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman after the third game of the 1990 season, replacing Jim Bonds. The Bruins wound up 5-6, but Maddox was clearly the focal point of the team. UCLA didn’t have a productive running game, and near the end of the season, Maddox was passing on nearly every down from the shotgun formation.

The highlight of the season was the Bruins’ 25-22 upset of Washington in Seattle. The Huskies haven’t lost a game since, sharing the national championship with Miami in 1991.

Maddox completed 55.7% of his passes in 1990 for 2,682 yards and 17 touchdowns, while throwing 14 interceptions. He ranked second in the Pacific 10 Conference in passing efficiency. His yardage figure was third-highest on the UCLA career list, even though he didn’t play in the first halves of the first two games.

Last season, the Bruins had a more balanced attack and a vastly improved running game. Maddox was still the featured player on offense, but not to the extent he was the previous year.

After his auspicious first season, much was expected of Maddox as a redshirt sophomore. He was efficient, but his statistics were similar to his 1990 output. Maddox completed 61% of his passes for 2,505 yards and 16 touchdowns, while throwing 15 interceptions. He ranked fourth in the Pac-10 in passing efficiency.

However, the Bruins rebounded from their two previous losing seasons with a 9-3 record, including a 6-3 victory over Illinois in the John Hancock Bowl at El Paso.