Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins Breaks Down Visit With UCLA Football

Back in January, the Bruins didn't have a single commit for the upcoming recruiting cycle.

Khristian Dunbar-Hawkins changed that.

The class of 2024 defensive back out of Mater Dei (CA) verbally committed to UCLA football on Jan. 19, and he hasn't wavered from his decision since. Dunbar-Hawkins just took an official visit to Westwood the weekend of May 12, so he took some time to chat with All Bruins about his experience and how he's feeling about his upcoming college career.

Dunbar-Hawkins had already been on campus more than 10 times, but his most recent trip was for a long-awaited official. In addition to rounding out his thoughts on the dining halls and student life, the consensus four-star prospect was able to get a more in-depth look at the facilities and sit down with his new coaches.

"It for sure felt more real," Dunbar-Hawkins said. "I definitely got an inside look at the brotherhood, the team, how the coaches treat their players and things of that nature."

Junior cornerback Devin Kirkwood was Dunbar-Hawkins' player host, reuniting the pair after they played 7v7 together nearly three years ago.

"Kirkwood, we trained together when I was in eighth grade and ninth grade, when I first started going," Dunbar-Hawkins said. "He was kind of like a big bro, helping me through everything, getting everything down, learning techniques and coaching me up."

There are also two former Mater Dei defensive backs on the roster who Dunbar-Hawkins said he factored into his decision to join the Bruins – redshirt sophomore cornerback Jaylin Davies and redshirt senior safety William Nimmo Jr.

When Dunbar-Hawkins committed to UCLA, the team was yet to hire defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn or cornerbacks coach Kodi Whitfield. Dunbar-Hawkins said he has still managed to build strong relationships with them over the past few months, despite the staggered timelines.

"(Whitfield) came to Mater Dei to watch practice, so we got to connect there a little bit. We have a really good relationship, I talk to him on a regular basis," Dunbar-Hawkins said. "Coach Lynn, I met him a couple weeks ago at the spring ball practices. He was just telling me how he wanted to use me everywhere, how he would get me prepared for the NFL if that was my goal, which it is."

Dunbar-Hawkins said he expects to slot in as a cornerback when he first arrives on campus, but that the staff told him they want try him out at nickel and safety as well.

While he was able to start absorbing some of the Xs and Os from Whitfield, Lynn, Kirkwood and others, Dunbar-Hawkins said one of the biggest positives of his visit was getting a better read on the team culture.

"Talking to the defensive staff, they were saying that it really is just next guy up," Dunbar-Hawkins said. "They don't really care how old you are, if you're a freshman, what grade you're in – it's next guy up at any position. So obviously I love that. If I go out there and ball, I could be up next."

Since Dunbar-Hawkins committed in January, the Bruins have secured commitments from several other prospects in his class. Three-star Eastlake (CA) offensive tackle Joshua Glanz committed a few weeks after Dunbar-Hawkins, while three-star Mission Viejo (CA) offensive tackle Mark Schroller, three-star Mount Tahoma (WA) offensive tackle Marquise Thorpe-Taylor and three-star Yelm (WA) linebacker Isaiah Patterson have all committed over the past month.

In addition to building relationships with those future teammates through social media, Dunbar-Hawkins said he is also trying to sell other players on following them to Westwood next year.

"I've definitely talked to some guys about UCLA, trying to see where their head is at and just tell them about the program and everything, trying to get them to come out and see the facilities and get involved with the program a little bit," Dunbar-Hawkins said.

Although UCLA's 2024 recruiting class currently ranks No. 3 in the Pac-12, the Bruins won't be in the conference anymore by the time those players suit up for their first collegiate games.

Dunbar-Hawkins' freshman year will line up with UCLA's debut season in the Big Ten, which is something he said is already getting him hyped up.

"I'm really excited, to be truthful, because I get to be a part of the next big thing for UCLA," Dunbar-Hawkins said. "I'm ready, can't wait."

Dunbar-Hawkins said he is planning to graduate high school a semester early and enroll at UCLA in time for winter quarter.

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PHOTO COURTESY OF KHRISTIAN DUNBAR-HAWKINS/INSTAGRAM