Gonzaga University’s men’s basketball program, led by head coach Mark Few, has begun to build momentum on the recruiting trail for the Class of 2027, and the team’s first major pledge has already made waves in the national rankings. On October 29, 2025, 4-star guard Dooney Johnson from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, announced his commitment to the Bulldogs, marking the first verbal pledge in Gonzaga’s 2027 recruiting class. He chose the Zags over offers from significant programs including Wisconsin, Marquette, Indiana, LSU, Missouri, Syracuse, and Wake Forest, among others. Johnson’s selection is a big early get for Gonzaga as they work to compete with top contenders nationally in future years.
Johnson is widely regarded as one of the best prospects in the 2027 cycle, and his commitment drew considerable attention from college basketball analysts. At 6’5″, he brings size, versatility, and playmaking ability to Gonzaga’s backcourt, capable of handling the ball, creating for others, and defending multiple positions. His performance on the grassroots and high school stage — including a standout showing at Peach Jam where he scored 30 points in one game and drew a high number of free throws — underscores his offensive skill set and competitive instincts.
Shortly after his commitment, Rivals updated its 2027 class rankings, and Johnson saw a major jump in his positioning. In the latest Rivals150 update, he climbed from No. 25 to No. 16 overall, reflecting his rising stock and reaffirming Gonzaga’s early success in securing his pledge. This type of rise is a strong indicator that evaluators believe his game projects well at the next level and that he is among the elite recruits in the country for his class.
Beyond Johnson, the Rivals rankings also highlighted other prospects linked to Gonzaga, showing that the Bulldogs are engaging with multiple top-25 talents in the 2027 cycle. For example, 6’5 wing Gene Roebuck moved up in the Rivals update from No. 37 to No. 25 overall, and remains in contact with Gonzaga’s coaching staff. Additionally, Gonzaga has been connected with other highly rated players such as DeMarcus Henry, who sits around No. 19 in the class, and Jalen Davis, a 6’3 guard from Washington climbing into the top 20 of 247Sports’ rankings — another key point of interest for the Zags recruiting board.
Gonzaga’s early involvement in the 2027 recruiting class signals a renewed emphasis on high school talent after years of leaning on the transfer portal. With Johnson leading the way, the Bulldogs are hoping to add complementary pieces around him, targeting versatile wings and guards who can contribute to Mark Few’s up-tempo, position-agnostic system. In addition to off-campus scouting and evaluations, the Zags have been active in hosting prospects for official visits, allowing recruits like Johnson and Roebuck to experience Gonzaga’s culture, fanbase, and coaching firsthand.
In summary, the Gonzaga 2027 recruiting picture looks promising early on. Landing Dooney Johnson — now a top-20 Rivals recruit at No. 16 — is a significant early achievement, and ongoing engagement with other ranked prospects could help Gonzaga assemble a class capable of elevating the program’s national standing in the years to come.