Touted ATH Peyton Higginson impressed after UCLA spring practice visit

The 3-star athlete from Utah said he was "blown away" by what he saw in Los Angeles.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:38pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold blues and golds depicting a football player in mid-motion, representing the dynamic nature of a top recruit's visit to UCLA's spring practice.A cubist interpretation of a top recruit's visit to UCLA's spring practice captures the energy and excitement of the Bruins' program under new leadership.Salt Lake City Today

Salem Hills High School 3-star athlete Peyton Higginson was among the top recruits to visit UCLA for the Bruins' spring practice opener this week. Higginson, who does not yet hold an offer from UCLA, came away extremely impressed with what he saw and would now consider the Bruins a top contender along with schools like BYU, Michigan, and Utah.

Why it matters

Recruiting top talent from outside of California is a priority for new UCLA head coach Bob Chesney as he looks to rebuild the Bruins' program. Landing a commitment from an athlete like Higginson, who has offers from several Power 5 schools, would be a major coup for the Bruins' 2027 recruiting class.

The details

Higginson, who is from Salem, Utah, made the trip to Los Angeles to get an up-close look at UCLA's spring practice. The 3-star prospect, who is being recruited as a safety, said he was "blown away" by what he saw from the Bruins' program and coaching staff. UCLA has not yet offered Higginson a scholarship, but the visit has put the Bruins firmly in the mix alongside other top contenders like BYU, Michigan, and Utah.

  • Higginson visited UCLA for the Bruins' spring practice opener on Thursday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Peyton Higginson

A 3-star athlete from Salem Hills High School in Utah who is being recruited as a safety.

Bob Chesney

The new head coach of the UCLA Bruins football team.

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What they’re saying

“I was blown away. The facilities, the coaches, the energy - it was all just incredible.”

— Peyton Higginson, 3-star athlete

The takeaway

Higginson's glowing review of his UCLA visit is a positive sign for the Bruins as they look to rebuild their program and recruit top talent from outside of California. The 3-star athlete's interest in the school could lead to an offer and potentially a commitment down the line.