The Gophers football program picked up a commitment Monday night from Tennessee prep cornerback Justin Hopkins.

Hopkins, a consensus four-star recruit from Nashville, picked Minnesota over nearly 30 offers, including primarily Tennessee, Southern Cal and Georgia Tech. Iowa, Auburn and others were also in the mix.

The Top 25 corner in the nation from Ensworth High School made his announcement in a video where he revealed a Gophers hat and black, maroon and gold T-shirt with “HOME” across the front. At one moment during the highlight montage, a caption said: “There’s nothing you can ask of a DB that J-Hop can’t do.”

Hopkins, who also plays offense and is a returner on special teams, had two interceptions, seven pass breakups, 16 tackles, two tackles for lost yards, one quarterback hurry and a defensive touchdown last season, according to the Tennesseean.

Hopkins told the newspaper that Tennessee coach Josh Heupel reaffirmed the Volunteers had a committable offer and that Heupel watched Hopkins at an Ensworth home basketball game this season.

“It’s easy to stay in Tennessee and be three hours away from home, say you’re wearing the orange and white,” Heupel was quoted by the paper. “Something about Minnesota just stood out differently to me.”

Hopkins, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, is the fourth commit in the U’s class for 2026.

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