Minnesota Gophers Land Top In-State Recruit Roman Voss Over Alabama

The Minnesota Golden Gophers have secured a major recruiting win for their 2026 football class with Roman Voss, the state's top high school football recruit, committing to stay home despite offers from powerhouse programs like Alabama. Voss, a versatile athlete from Jackson County Central, is projected to play tight end for the Gophers and is considered a game-changing addition ranked as their highest-rated commitment since 2024. His commitment marks a significant shift in perception for Minnesota's program, which has also landed other top in-state recruits, including Howie Johnson and Andrew Trout. The coaching staff, led by P.J. Fleck, developed a strong relationship with Voss dating back to middle school, which played a key role in his decision. In addition to Voss, Minnesota is actively pursuing other prospects such as Florida defensive lineman Freddie Wilson, who is among the finalists for his commitment and could bolster their interior defensive line. Overall, Minnesota's recruiting efforts demonstrate a strong focus on retaining local talent and competing with traditional football powerhouses.