Four-Star LB Colton McKibben Commits to UCLA

McKibben talks about his decision to join the Bruins' 2027 recruiting class.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:34pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp planes of UCLA's blue and gold colors overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.A cubist interpretation of a UCLA linebacker's explosive movements on the field, reflecting the program's recruiting momentum.Los Angeles Today

Four-star linebacker Colton McKibben has committed to play for the UCLA Bruins football program. McKibben, ranked the No. 277 overall player in the 2027 class, chose UCLA over offers from Arizona State, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Nebraska after developing a strong relationship with the Bruins' coaching staff.

Why it matters

McKibben's commitment is a significant recruiting win for UCLA, as the Bruins look to build on their recent success and continue to bring in top talent. As the first four-star recruit to join UCLA's 2027 class, McKibben's pledge could help the program attract more highly-touted prospects.

The details

A native of New Mexico, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound McKibben is ranked as the No. 23 overall linebacker and the top prospect in his home state. He cited his relationship with the UCLA coaching staff, led by head coach Bob Chesney, as a key factor in his decision to become a Bruin.

  • McKibben committed to UCLA two weeks ago.

The players

Colton McKibben

A four-star linebacker and the No. 277 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class, McKibben is ranked as the No. 23 linebacker nationally and the top prospect in the state of New Mexico.

Bob Chesney

The head coach of the UCLA football program, Chesney and his staff were instrumental in securing McKibben's commitment.

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What they’re saying

“The UCLA football program under Bob Chesney has hit the ground running in recruiting, and is making significant headway with multiple four-stars in the 2027 class. McKibben was the first four-star to hop on board in the class, but with the way things are trending, he will be far from the last.”

— Bro Staff, Author

What’s next

McKibben's commitment is a strong start for UCLA's 2027 recruiting class, and the Bruins will look to build on this momentum to land more top prospects in the coming months.

The takeaway

Colton McKibben's decision to commit to UCLA is a significant recruiting win for the Bruins, as they continue to build a talented roster under head coach Bob Chesney. McKibben's pledge as the first four-star recruit in the 2027 class could help the program attract more highly-touted prospects in the future.