UCLA impresses top 2027 pass-catcher Kingston Celifie at spring practice

Calabasas star athlete visits Bruins as recruitment heats up

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:26pm

A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a college football player making a leaping catch, with the player's body broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant blue and gold colors.A cubist interpretation of a UCLA pass-catcher's explosive athleticism captures the dynamic energy of the Bruins' spring practice session.Los Angeles Today

Kingston Celifie, a highly touted 2027 pass-catching prospect from Calabasas High School, visited UCLA on Thursday to observe the Bruins' first spring practice under new head coach Bob Chesney. Celifie, who has an official visit to UCLA already scheduled, continues to be a major target for the Bruins as his recruitment takes shape.

Why it matters

Landing elite pass-catching talent like Celifie is crucial for UCLA as they look to rebuild their program under Chesney. Celifie is one of the top receivers on the West Coast in the 2027 class, so his interest in the Bruins is a positive sign for the direction of the team.

The details

Celifie, a three-star athlete, made the trip to Westwood to get an up-close look at UCLA's spring practice and continue evaluating the Bruins as a potential college destination. The visit allowed him to gather more information about the program as he narrows down his options heading into the evaluation period.

  • Celifie visited UCLA on Thursday, April 2, 2026 to observe the Bruins' first spring practice.
  • Celifie has an official visit to UCLA already scheduled as his recruitment continues.

The players

Kingston Celifie

A three-star athlete from Calabasas High School who is one of the top pass-catching prospects on the West Coast in the 2027 recruiting class.

Bob Chesney

The new head coach of the UCLA football team, taking over the program in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Landing elite pass-catching talent like Celifie is crucial for UCLA as they look to rebuild their program under Chesney.”

— Blair Angulo, 247Sports Writer

What’s next

Celifie will continue evaluating UCLA and other top programs as he nears a decision on where to commit in the 2027 recruiting class.

The takeaway

Celifie's continued interest in UCLA is a positive sign for the Bruins as they aim to restock their roster with top talent under new head coach Bob Chesney. Landing a player of Celifie's caliber would be a major recruiting win for the program.