Latest news with #GophersFootball
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
It's Another Huge Week for Gopher Football Recruiting
For the University of Minnesota Gophers football, high school recruiting goes into another gear this time of year. In June alone, dozens and dozens of recruits from around the country have been cycled on and off campus, as PJ Fleck & Co try for to verbally nail down one of the best classes of his tenure in Dinkytown. This week, though, may be PJ's most crucial high school recruiting week since the pride of Esko, Koi Perich, was choosing between the Gophers and Ohio State 1.5 years ago. And it starts right away on Monday, when the No. 1 rated high school football player in Minnesota (247Sports) will announce his verbal commitment. Advertisement Decision Day from top 2026 MN football recruit, Roman Voss Roman Voss is a 4-star athlete (91 OVR) out of Jackson, MN. Prior to Monday's decision, Voss' list of schools — which had included Auburn, Cal, Iowa, Iowa State, Illinois, Miami, Wisconsin, USC and Oklahoma (among others) — had already been whittled down to two schools — his home-state Gophers and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Voss played mostly quarterback at Jackson High, but both Minnesota and Alabama want the 6'4″ 225 lb freak athlete as a tight end. You don't have to watch his highlights long to see why. Since the 2025 calendar turned to June, the Minnesota Gophers have landed a whopping 14 commitments for the class of 2026. Weekend after weekend, PJ Fleck and his coaching staff have been cycling dozens of the most talented high school football players in the nation through Dinkytown. Advertisement Related: Minnesota Gophers Land Highest-Rated Running Back Recruit in Over a Decade The Gophers' 2026 class — which now has 23 total commits — has vaulted all the way up to No. 16 in the country, according to 247Sports. Because this summer has been an unmitigated success on the 2026 (and a little 2027) high school recruiting trail. (ATH) Pierce Petersohn picking Gopher Football or Penn State But Roman Voss isn't the only in-state freak athlete the Minnesota Gophers are chasing this week. The other — 3-star (89 OVR – ATH) Pierce Petersohn — is out of Triton High School, near Dodge Center. He too is down to two schools, one being his home-state Gophers, the other being Big Ten rival, Penn State. Advertisement 247Sports has Petersohn (ATH) — who stands at 6'5″, 195 lbs and played QB/FS at Triton — ranked as the 4th best high school football player in the state. Other recruiting sites like him even more, which is why he is a composite 4-star recruit. One intriguing thing to watch with Pierce — Penn State wants him as a tight end, while Minnesota — who already has one tight end commit and could be on the verge of two — is recruiting him as a linebacker. Petersohn also held offers from Duke, Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas State, before recently narrowing his list down to two. Last week alone, Minnesota reeled eight more commits into PJ's 2026 recruiting boat, a grab that included the second (247Sports) four-star of the Golden Gophers' 2026 class — Forest Lake defensive lineman, Howie Johnson. Advertisement Most take their visit during the two-week 'Summer Splash' event, which is used mostly to convince out of state recruits that Minnesota is not a frozen wasteland year-round. Yet, the best players in modern Minnesota Gophers history were born and raised in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Let's hope both of these kids decide to follow their path to becoming a hometown legend. Related Headlines
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gophers Secure P.J. Fleck for the Long Run
The Minnesota Gophers football team has seen one of the best recruiting cycles in recent memory. Not only has head coach P.J. Fleck kept in-state talent home, but he has done a great job bring talent to Dinkytown. Minnesota has an important season ahead of them in that the schedule sets up favorably. They could be a dark horse not only in the Big Ten, but may play their way into national relevance as well. Advertisement P.J. Fleck has been a solidifying force for the program since taking over, and now he's destined to last a bit longer. Related Headlines P.J. Fleck gets an extension with Minnesota Gophers Although P.J. Fleck wasn't heading towards contract uncertainty, athletic director Mark Coyle tacked on another year of security for his head football coach. The new extension keeps Fleck with the Minnesota Gophers at least through the 2030 season. 'Gophers football coach P.J. Fleck will get a one-year contract extension with increased retention bonuses, pending approval at the next Board of Regents meeting July 11…Under the new deal, Fleck's salary would remain $6 million, but he would receive a $1 million retention bonus after Year 1 and $1.6 million after Year 6. All told, Fleck's new deal would pay him an additional $2.3 million in retention bonuses. The university said Fleck's deal, including the retention bonuses, would rank tied for 11th in total salary out of 18 Big Ten football head coaches.' Joe Christensen – Star Tribune Fleck took over the Minnesota program in 2017 after spending four years as the head coach of Western Michigan. In eight years with the Gophers he owns a 97-58 (.598) record. He has taken the Gophers to six bowl games and has wins in all of them. Advertisement The Minnesota Gophers football program has struggled to remain relevant in previous decades, but Fleck has been a stabilizing force for the university. It's something that athletic director Mark Coyle also noted when talking about the impending extension. 'P.J. has consistently recruited and coached teams that Minnesotans can be proud of on and off the field. The program has produced record GPAs and 10 Academic All-Americans under Fleck, and his teams have won a consistent level not seen in more than 75 years. He has added significant value to the University, its student athletes and all of Minnesota. It is critical that we keep him.' Mark Coyle – Star Tribune This current run has consistently resulted in multiple NFL draft picks. Fleck has proven an ability to develop top-tier talent and good men. That was on display during the recent Minnesota Gophers pro day. Related: Max Brosmer Already Turning Heads Inside MN Vikings Organization The university is certainly bought into the 'Row the Boat' mantra, and is looking forward to having their leader around for the long haul. Advertisement Related Headlines
