Another class of 2023 prospect has announced their intentions to join the Bruins as a preferred walk-on next season.
One of the most versatile uncommitted players in Southern California has decided to walk on with the Bruins.
Class of 2023 Harvard Westlake (CA) athlete Josh Dixon became the latest preferred walk-on to join UCLA football, the 6-foot-1 senior announced Thursday night on Twitter. Defensive backs coach and assistant head coach Brian Norwood offered Dixon a spot with the blue and gold on Jan. 28.
Dixon had received offers from Washington University in St. Louis and Bowdoin College. The two-way player also went on unofficial visits to San Diego and Cal Poly.
In 10 games during the 2022 season for Harvard Westlake, Dixon tallied 165 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. On offense, he rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 632 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Dixon was named to the All-CIF Division Eight Team as the only Harvard Westlake player honored by the state, as well as being named the Del Rey League Defensive Player of the Year.
The wide receiver and defensive back joins wide receiver Carter Shaw, wide receiver Kanye Clark, long snapper Trent Middleton, edge rusher Peter Bario, offensive lineman Kory Symington, linebacker Wyatt Mosier and running back Troy Leigber in the group of 2023 walk-ons in Westwood.
Shaw and Clark have already added depth to the wide receiver room, and since Norwood was the coach involved with Dixon’s recruitment, it seems likely that he will be joining the Bruins as a defensive back.
UCLA is seemingly taking on many more walk-ons than it has in past cycles. The team was on track to come up short of the scholarship player cap in 2022 before bumping up former walk-ons just before the season started.
Although it remains unlikely that Dixon or the other incoming freshmen will reach that status right away, the Bruins’ staff has rewarded scholarships to several standout walk-ons over the years and that could be in their future as well.
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PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH DIXON/TWITTER