Revealed: Multiple Blue Bloods Want Outgoing MN Gophers Superstar
The Minnesota Gophers football team has re-signed and announced the return of most of their eligible starters from the 2025 roster. Of course, there are exceptions, especially at a school like Minnesota, which does not have the money that Big Ten and SEC blue bloods do.
So no matter how good PJ Fleck is at retaining talent, it’s impossible to keep ninety-plus 18-24 year-olds happy. And this offseason, the headlining transfer portal departure of homegrown superstar Koi Perich is a difficult one to digest.
Perich chose the Gophers over Florida State and, at the last second, Ohio State. Now, two years later — barring some sort of unforeseen change of heart — he is leaving.
Early Koi Perich pursuers revealed
So what lured Perich out of Dinkytown? Now twelve or so hours after the news was originally broken by ESPN insider Pete Thamel, we are starting to get some answers to why the Esko superstar wanted out.
According to MN Gopher football insider Ryan Burns (247Sports) the first is Ohio State, the same school Koi turned down in favor of the Gophers two years ago. The other is the University of Miami (FL), where Perich’s former coach at Minnesota, Corey Hetherman, is the defensive coordinator.
“What are the two schools I am watching closest, from the people I have talked to? It is Ohio State, who was his runner-up out of high school. I believe Caleb Downs is going to the NFL now. The other one is going to be Miami (FL), where Corey Hetherman was defensive coordinator in 2024 when Koi Perich led the Big Ten with interceptions in his defense.”
Ryan Burns – Gopher Gridiron Radio
Those are the only two schools talking to Koi Perich, that Burns has heard about so far. But he expects more blue bloods to come knocking now that his departure from Dinkytown is all but official.
Why is Perich leaving the Minnesota Gophers?
According to Burns, those around Koi are saying that his biggest reason for leaving is the desire to win a championship. But without a doubt, he’ll make more money wherever he ends up too.
Here’s what I will say. Do believe this decision to hit the portal is about chasing a National title? I do believe that is the biggest driving factor, I do. But the other [undeniable] factor is Koi Perich is going to make hella money.
Koi Perich is going to go get a hella bag. I get it, because I think all of the schools over the next 24, 72 to 96 hours, you’re going to see his name attached to all blue bloods [with money].
Ryan Burns – Gopher Gridiron Radio
Related: Another MN Gophers Starter Signed for 2026
Koi Perich isn’t the type of person who cares that Gopher football fans might be mad at him. He isn’t the classic PJ Fleck personality type, and he has made it very clear that he doesn’t even want to be playing football at the college level. He just wants to be in the NFL.
So, while it hurts that Perich is leaving, it’s not all that surprising to see him go. And now, as Burns also notes, the Golden Gophers have over $1 million in NIL funds that can be allocated away from safety and to other more pressing needs on the defensive roster — specifically on the interior defensive line.
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