Gopher FB Star Lands on Another Top CFB Talent List

We are now just eight days from the Minnesota Gophers kicked off their 2025 season against the Buffalo Bulls. P.J. Fleck won’t have exciting 2024 quarterback Max Brosmer this time around as he’s making waves in the NFL.

He does have Drake Lindsey though, and the team is good enough to surprise some people. Arguably the best talent on the roster comes in the form of two-way star Koi Perich.

After staying home and sticking with the Gophers, Perich shined as a freshman. Now he’s put the nation on notice, and is regarded as among the best players in the entire sport.

Koi Perich among nation’s best for Minnesota Gophers

This season Koie Perich will look to repeat as one of the best secondary players in the nation. He led the Big Ten as a freshman with five interceptions. He’s also going to play offense this year, and ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg ranked him as the 42nd best player in the country.

Perich is a bit under the radar at Minnesota but could be one of college football’s most exciting all-around players to watch, especially in the post-Travis Hunter era. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors at defensive back, recording five interceptions to go along with a forced fumble and 46 tackles. Perich also was a second-team All-Big Ten return specialist with 314 kick return yards and 188 punt return yards. He will have an even bigger role on offense this fall.

Adam Rittenberg – ESPN

It’s fun for everyone to try and be Travis Hunter after the Colorado two-way star went to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL draft. It’s similar to the desire to replicate Shohei Ohtani at the MLB level.

Maybe we won’t ever see someone be able to compete like Hunter did at the collegiate level. Or maybe, Perich will turn all of the preseason hype into a postseason trip to New York for a Heisman ceremony.

Esko, Minnesota has a population of just over 2,000 people. More fans than that see Perich on a weekly basis, and the nation will be introduced to him in a big way this season. He was already amongst one of the best stories in college football last year. The heights that could reach in his sequel is unmatched.

It should be exciting to think about Perich on offense as well. The Gophers have a strong receiver room and were infused by transfers Logan Loya and Javon Tracy. Le’Meke Brockington returns, and Perich will play as a special weapon all over the field.

Related: MN Gophers Phenom Racking Up Preseason All-America Honors

Of course the Big Ten schedule will be where Perich needs to prove his abilities. He could have some fun embarrassing the lesser opponents on the schedule early on though.