The Minnesota Golden Gophers football team has landed a significant commitment from top in-state recruit Roman Voss, a four-star athlete, according to the Star Tribune. Voss, the top-ranked recruit in Minnesota, chose the Gophers over Alabama, a major program. This commitment adds to a growing list of 24 pledges for the Gophers’ 2026 recruiting class, which is currently ranked 14th nationally and 6th among Big Ten schools according to… Read more
In a major recruiting victory, the Minnesota Golden Gophers have secured a commitment from Roman Voss, the top-ranked recruit in the state and one of the nation’s premier athletes in the 2026 class. The four-star standout announced his decision on Thursday, choosing the hometown Gophers over national powerhouse Alabama, among several other elite programs. The news was first reported by the Star Tribune.
Voss, who stars at Eden Prairie High School, is considered a true multi-dimensional talent. Listed as an athlete by most recruiting services, the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder has played quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive back at a high level. His versatility, explosiveness, and football IQ have made him one of the most sought-after prospects in the country.
With his commitment, Voss becomes the crown jewel of what is shaping up to be a historic recruiting class for Minnesota. The Gophers now have 24 total commitments for the 2026 cycle, and according to early rankings, the class sits at No. 14 nationally and No. 6 in the Big Ten—a remarkable jump for a program that has quietly built momentum under head coach P.J. Fleck.
“This one’s special,” Fleck said in a statement. “Roman represents everything we want in a student-athlete—talented, driven, and proud to represent the state of Minnesota. It’s a great day for our program.”
Landing Voss is particularly meaningful because of what it represents: keeping top-tier, homegrown talent in-state. In recent years, Minnesota has seen several blue-chip local recruits leave for bigger-name programs, including schools in the SEC and Big Ten East. Voss bucking that trend sends a strong message about the Gophers’ ability to recruit—and retain—the best talent in their own backyard.
Recruiting insiders suggest that Voss was heavily courted by Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Oregon, all of whom made late pushes. But the Gophers’ coaching staff, led by Fleck and recruiting coordinator Matt Simon, stayed consistent in their message: Stay home, build something special, and be a legacy.
Voss echoed that sentiment in his commitment announcement. “Minnesota believed in me from day one,” he said. “This is home. I want to bring championships here and inspire the next generation of kids growing up in this state.”
His pledge only adds to the buzz surrounding a 2026 class filled with high-upside talent on both sides of the ball. With Voss in the mix, the Gophers now have seven four-star commitments, the most in any class under Fleck’s tenure.
There’s still a long road ahead before National Signing Day, but one thing is clear: Minnesota is no longer playing catch-up on the national stage—they’re making noise, winning battles against the big boys, and building a future that looks brighter than ever.
