Cal’s 2027 recruiting class just got a boost, and it comes with a familiar last name. The Golden Bears have secured a commitment from wide receiver Gunnar Perry out of Notre Dame Preparatory in Cave Creek, Arizona - the younger brother of current Cal player and former Oregon Duck, Cooper Perry.
This is commitment No. 2 for Cal in the 2027 cycle, and it’s one that speaks volumes about the Bears’ recruiting strategy under Tosh Lupoi. Gunnar may not have a star rating yet, but Cal didn’t wait around for the recruiting services to catch up. They were the first major program to offer him, and it paid off with an immediate pledge.
The family connection certainly helped. Cooper played one season at Oregon before transferring to Cal, following Lupoi to Berkeley.
That move clearly had an impact on Gunnar’s process. Once Cooper showed interest in the Bears, the coaching staff moved quickly - and decisively.
Arizona and Arizona State had also been in contact with Gunnar, along with a few other schools, but Cal’s early belief in his potential made the difference. It’s a calculated move by Lupoi and his staff, who continue to show a willingness to trust their evaluations and get in early on emerging talent.
Gunnar’s full highlight reel is already circulating, and while the recruiting services haven’t weighed in yet, the tape shows flashes of why Cal was eager to lock him down. He’s got the tools - now it’s about development and fit. And in Berkeley, he’ll have a familiar face and a coaching staff that clearly believes in what he can become.
This commitment might not make national headlines today, but it’s another example of how Cal is building its future - one under-the-radar gem at a time.