Bears Add 2027 Southlake Carroll WR Blake Gunter

The Bears picked up their third commitment of the 2027 class with the addition of 6-2/185 Southlake Carroll (Southlake, TX) High School wide receiver Blake Gunter‍ today.

Gunter’s commitment capped off a big 18^th birthday celebration as the newest Bear will return to his birth city of Berkeley to continue to his football career next year.

“I was born in Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley 18 years ago today,” Gunter said after his commitment and during his birthday celebration. “Cal was a great choice for me because it’s really close to family and Coach Lupoi and the coaching staff consistently showed their interest in me. I feel like we’re already really closely connected.”

Rated 3 stars by On3 and #134 overall in Texas, the newest Bear had an impressive junior season, adding 68 receptions for 1,224 yards and 18 T along with 5 carries for 138 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. He put up those big numbers despite sharing balls with current Ohio State WR signee Brock Boyd.

In the Texas 6A Division 2 state semifinal against DeSoto last season, Gunter erupted for 4 touchdowns and 111 yards on just 7 receptions. Despite Southlake Carroll ultimately losing 57-44 in a wild shootout.

Gunter’s size and physicality make him a tough cover in one-on-one situations and his toughness is a trait the Cal staff covets.

The program was coached during Gunter’s junior season by Riley Dodge, who compiled a stellar 107–10 record from 2018–2025. 

After the 2025 season, Dodge left to join the SMU coaching staff as tight end coach and pass-game coordinator under Rhett Lashlee but the Bears were still able to beat out the Mustangs along with Baylor, Pittsburgh, UCLA, Oregon State, Boise State, Wake Forest and more for Gunter’s commitment.

Gunter will be coached by Ike Hilliard, who played 12 years in the NFL, and has 13 seasons of NFL coaching experience including coaching receiving stars like DeSean Jackson, Terry McLaurin, Drake London, and Diontae Johnson. He’ll also be coached by one of the Bears’ all-time receiving greats Geoff McArthur after his return to the Bears in the offseason.

Gunter comes from one of the most prestigious high school programs in the country. Southlake Carroll has sent numerous players to the NFL and Cal under head coach Tosh Lupoi has emphasized connecting its current players with the 19 Cal alumni on NFL rosters - a big attraction for many of today’s top players.

The newest Bear joins 3 star Grant Union (Sacramento, CA) defensive lineman Giovanni Hodge, Notre Dame Prep (Cave Creek, AZ) 3 star linebacker Gunnar Perry and IMG kicker Zach Brien in the Bears’ 2027 recruiting class.