Minnesota Gophers Early National Signing Day – 2025

Signees started rolling in early. And just like that, the Gophers were rolling. Below is a running tab on each Gopher football signee that’s been officially announced by the team in the early period.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Receive Last-Second Addition to Senior Bowl Roster

The official National Signing day was on February 5, 2025. In these days of college football, this day is not nearly as significant as it used to be. Now, the early signing period is much more prevalent. The Gophers also have a list of incoming transfers that have committed to them.

2025 Minnesota Gophers Recruiting Class

Signed Letters of Intent (Transfers)

Related: Gophers QB Max Brosmer Rewarded for Big Week at East-West Shrine Bowl Practice

Like many of the best 2024 high school football recruits in the country, many of which will start their college careers this week, Koi Perich is in San Antonio, TX (AlamoDome) today, playing in the All-American Bowl, which is being nationally televised on NBC as I type this article.

Related: Gophers Fly ‘Row The Boat’ Banner Over Koi Perich State Tournament Game

And unsurprisingly, it didn’t take the Minnesota kid long to show why helmet schools were trying to steal him out from PJ Fleck’s nose all summer and fall, leading up to National Signing Day.

Koi Perich Shows Out at All-American Bowl

With over four minutes remaining in the 1st quarter, Wake Forest QB commit (3-star) Jeremy Hecklinski tried to thread the needle over the middle of the field, and found out the hard way how bad of an idea that is when Perich is on patrol.

#Minnesota commit Koi Perich with a diving INT at the goal line to prevent a TD! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XegNUndzSO

— Video from: @TSV__1 (@TSV__1) January 6, 2024

Related: Top In-State 2024 Recruit Koi Perich Officially Signs with Gophers

But Koi Perich wasn’t done putting on his first half show, following that interception. He also recorded one first half tackle for loss. Then, in the 2nd quarter, the East lined up for a punt and Koi Perich came on the punt block. Guess what happened next…

4⭐️ S Koi Perich now has a blocked punt and an INT in the All-American Bowl 👀pic.twitter.com/r7YzgS9oOe https://t.co/ImKHMFpZvJ

— 247Sports (@247Sports) January 6, 2024

When the dust settled on the 2024 All-American Bowl, Perich was named game MVP after the West held off a dramatic East comeback that never would have been possible had Koi not been on the field.

Official statistics have not yet been released by Perich finished with at least 1 interception, 1 blocked punt, 1 tackle for loss and 2 passes defended (both of which would have been touchdowns).

Minnesota signee Koi Perich from Esko (Minn.) Lincoln, named the 2024 @AABonNBC MVP https://t.co/l4bZ05d5yz pic.twitter.com/accgfWiLk3

— Brandon Huffman (@BrandonHuffman) January 6, 2024

I’m still not entirely sure how PJ Fleck held onto Perich’s commitment following his trip to Ohio State just a couple of weekends prior to National Signing Day. But no doubt, it could go down as one of the biggest high school recruiting wins of his coaching career, right up there with Rashod Bateman and Mar’Keise “Bucky” Irving.

Minnesota had two other 2024 signees representing the newest Gophers recruiting class in San Antonio this weekend. Defensive lineman Riley Sunram (North Dakota) and offensive lineman Brett Carroll (Kansas) are competing as well.

Related: Minnesota Gophers Recruiting Class – 2024

Here is how the internet is reacting to Perich’s big day at the AlamoDome:

Future Minnesota Gopher Koi Perich with the absolutely amazing diving interception.

Gophers got a good one. pic.twitter.com/rwrYe7jPt3

— CFBLIVE247 (@CFBLive247_) January 6, 2024

All-American Bowl standouts:
S Koi Perich Minnesota
WR TJ Moore Clemson
DE Marquise Lightfoot Miami
WR Jeremiah Smith Ohio St
LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa Notre Dame
RB Nate Frazier Georgia
RB Daniel Hill Alabama
QB Demond Williams Arizona
S KJ Bolden Georgia
DE Deshawn Warner Kansas

— Brad Powers (@BradPowers7) January 6, 2024

Minnesota safety Koi Perich AGAIN‼️

Perich blocks a punt to put the West inside the 10🔥 @AABonNBC

(🎥: @LGlodek)

Live updates: https://t.co/owRENUBottpic.twitter.com/E9diKm5l2U

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) January 6, 2024

Related: Buy the Right Brand of Bacon in January and 100% Goes to Gophers NIL Fund

Have a day, Koi Perich.

The #Minnesota safety had an interception earlier in the game and now he blocks a punt.

It led to a rushing touchdown from #Top247 ball-carrier Daniel Hill, who announces his commitment later today.

Update https://t.co/lZ4zxMkoje@247Sports / @AABonNBC pic.twitter.com/qUmCekWtQ3

— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) January 6, 2024

Koi Perich is special

— Alex Gleitman (@alexgleitman) January 6, 2024

Related: Under PJ Fleck, Gophers Will Never Lack Motivation

#1 ranked high school player in Minnesota and future Golden Gopher, Koi Perich, is representing Team West today! pic.twitter.com/jcxxYf5X8a

— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) January 6, 2024

West blocks the punt! After a lot of chaos, #Minnesota DB signee Koi Perich recovers the loose ball. He’s having a big day. Had an interception earlier pic.twitter.com/t988VnJvNC

— Max Torres (@mtorressports) January 6, 2024

Related: Gophers Hire Decorated Coach Bob Ligashesky as Special Teams Coordinator

Koi Perich is going to be a big time player. Would have been a five star if he played in any other state.

— Carson (@cmacrae13) January 6, 2024

Esko High School standout Koi Perich is tearing it up at the NBC All American Game!

Already with an interception and blocked punt!

I’m smelling MVP!! @AABonNBC pic.twitter.com/GMvJd5XDPY

— Leighton Glodek (@LGlodek) January 6, 2024

Related: PJ Fleck, Gophers Have Turned in Multiple Rival Schools for Tampering

Minnesota signee Koi Perich with a tremendous INT. He's got future All-Conference written all over him. Great job by Fleck to hang on to him.

— Greg Smith (@GregSmithRivals) January 6, 2024

Golden Gopher Koi Perich is lightening it up in High School All American game this afternoon.

Breaking up screen pass.
Follows it up with brilliant INT.

Holy smokes!

— Greg Flugaur (@flugempire) January 6, 2024

Related: Stud 2024 QB Drake Lindsey Renews Commitment to Minnesota

Fayetteville QB and Minnesota signee @Drakelindsey5 has been named the 2023-24 Gatorade Arkansas Football Player of the Year. Lindsey is the fourth Gatorade Arkansas Football Player of the Year to be chosen from Fayetteville.

— Richard Davenport (@ArRecruitingGuy) January 3, 2024

Lindsey is a consensus 3-star who’s completely dominated the 6A competition in his state for two straight seasons, leading Fayetteville to a 2023 State Championship behind 3,916 yards (70% cmp), 52 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions, as a senior.

Drake Lindsey – Arkansas Gatorade Player of the Year

Oh and his favorite NFL team is the Minnesota Vikings, because his grandfather played special teams for the purple and gold back in the 60s and 70s.

The #Gophers landed a commitment from Arkansas QB Drake Lindsey. He drives the football, showcases touch/anticipation & navigates the pocket well.

Drake’s grandfather, Jim, was a special teams ace & RB for the #Vikings (1966-72).

More in this piece: https://t.co/PuNgSxDRnN pic.twitter.com/4aPHAEig2G

— Daniel House (@DanielHouseMN) May 12, 2023

The Gophers jumped all in on Lindsey earlier than others, something Fleck has gotten good at, especially when he and his staff find a quarterback they like. Arkansas made a late run at Lindsey, even sending offensive coordinator, Bobby Petrino to the state championship game.

Related: Buy the Right Brand of Bacon in January and 100% Goes to Gophers NIL Fund

But by then, it was too late. Drake wore a University of Minnesota hand towel for the entire 2023 season and he and his family could be found after Fayetteville’s state championship taking pictures with PJ Fleck.

If all goes according to plan, Lindsey will get at least one season of development before being asked to step on the football field as Minnesota’s QB1. With Athan Kaliakmanis now at Rutgers, the Gophers will trust the arm of FCS MVP, Max Brosmer, a graduate transfer from New Hampshire with one season left to play.

Koi Perich officially signs with Minnesota Gophers

Most National Letters of Intent have already rolled through the fax machine, including Esko, MN top-100 safety, 4-star Koi Perich, who wasn’t expected to sign until later in the afternoon.

The number one player in the state of Minnesota❕@koiperich3 is staying home🚣‍♂️#RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/D3Cul8TRjG

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) December 20, 2023

The first time Perich steps on a college football field, which is expected to be game one of next season, he’ll become the 2nd highest-rated 247 composite recruit of the internet age (4-star | .9469 Rating) to ever play a snap for the Gophers. Fellow Minnesotan, Carter Coughlin (4-star | .9566 Rating) from the 2016 class, the only guy ahead of him.

Related: Minnesota Gophers National Signing Day Signees – 2024

Fleck & Co stave off late push by Ohio State and Florida State

Just a few days ago, nobody really expected Perich to sign at all. Ohio State and Florida State made hard, late charges at Koi and, when he made his visit to Columbus a couple of weekends ago, we all were ready for the bad news after.

But then… news broke on Sunday that, instead of flipping to Ohio State, the 6-1, 200 LB secondary freak athlete was turning his back on all of the sparkle, shine and NIL that comes with being a Buckeye, in favor of his home state Gophers. A decision we rarely see made from kids with the offers and talent the Koi Perich has.

Explosive, versatile and homegrown😤 pic.twitter.com/QUhXwFyxSo

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) December 20, 2023

One of those kids appears to be the Minnesota Gophers’ 2024 linebacker commit out of Detroit Lakes, Mason Carrier, whose brother Ethan is a redshirt Freshman cornerback for the Gophers, who appeared in one game in 2023 (Ohio State).

DL Mason Carrier lets everyone know: He’s committed to the Minnesota Gophers

On Friday — after he either a) became annoyed by the other 2024 Gopher commits who have bailed on PJ Fleck in the last few days or b) finally became sick of other coaches trying flip him before signing day on December 20 (possibly both) — Carrier typed a message into his notes app and put it out on his social medias that both a) affirmed his commitment to the University of Minnesota and b) made me run through a brick wall.

pic.twitter.com/oqNcfKQ6We

— Mason Carrier (@Mason_Carrier46) December 15, 2023

It sure is nice to see a kid like Mason, who looks like an absolute monster on the football field, prove there are still high school recruits in 2023-24 who value their commitments and have pride for their home state football program. That some commits are still built different.

Related: Did Drake Just Curse the Minnesota Gophers?

No transfer judgements here, just respect

Don’t get me wrong, you will not hear, see or read me complain about all of the freedom given to college football players in the year 2023. The NCAA and its Universities are reaping what they’ve sown for 50 years on that subject.

Every kid is different and so is everyone’s personal situation. We are talking big boy money, here. $50,000, for example, can be life-changing for a lot of kids, who don’t enter their college years with the same financial stability others do.

If you’re choosing between job offers, and one potential workplace is offering the same salary (a scholarship) as another, but it comes with a $50,000 cash bonus, which would you take? Now, pretend you’re 17 and your parents can’t help with college. Not even rent or groceries or gas money. Which are you going to choose?

Related: Gophers Paying Cole Kramer a Rumored $30K in NIL to Stay for Bowl Game

Eventually, we will get a world where college football players are paid by Universities and not NIL funds, which will come with a salary cap and parity that hasn’t been seen in power-5 college athletics since… forever. Until then, we’ll all roll with the punches because high-level American football is the best sport in the world by a mile.

So, I don’t judge these kids when they flip commitments because we do not know what is going on behind the scenes. Which is why I have even more respect for the kids who are old-school like Mason Carrier. And just for the record, I won’t forget the name.

But it’s been a particularly difficult week for his Minnesota Gophers defense. Not only did they lose defensive coordinator Joe Rossi to Michigan State, but they’ve had two of their top 2024 commits on that side of the ball decommit, and they’re battling tooth and nail to save a 3rd from doing the same.

• In-State Recruit Jide Abasiri Decommits After Visit to USC
• Brady Pretzlaff Decommits After Visiting Joe Rossi, Michigan State

Safety – Koi Perich – Esko, MN

But this one, Koi Perich (Esko, MN), is by far the most important. Perich was a top in-state high school recruit as a junior too. But his national hype has gone completely through the roof in the last 12 months, especially since committing to his home state Gophers in the Spring.

Watch a couple minutes of Koi’s highlight reel and you’ll quickly see why he’s become so popular among power 5 college football coaches. After a deep dive on Perich’s junior year HUDL film back in April, I knew it was going to be a difficult task to keep him committed.

Related: Did Drake Just Curse the Minnesota Gophers?

He made some crazy promises and clearly thought he would be a Gopher, at the time. But kids are still kids. These are serious life-changing decisions. When Ohio State comes calling, and you want to be a college football star with NFL aspirations, you’re going to listen. Here’s what I wrote back then.

 It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone look as dominant on a high school football field as [Koi Perich] did during his Junior season. Surely, Michigan, Penn State or Ohio State — teams that all have more NIL money and better odds to win an NCAA championship — will swing through later and offer this kid a six or seven figure deal he cannot refuse.

Here we are, eight months later: Perich was just in Columbus, OH over the weekend, visiting the Ohio State University campus. After most major recruiting services re-rated the 6-1, 200 lb safety, he’s now properly carrying a high-caliber 4-star rating, even becoming a top-100 national high school prospect, according to 247Sports.

Ohio State Buckeyes vs Minnesota Gophers

As I predicted in the spring, OSU made a late senior season run at Perich. And when those helmet schools come calling… and NIL promises start flying… minds change. After his visit, Ohio State is now the odds on favorite to land the former Minnesota commit. He had a visit planned to Florida State and cancelled it.

Related: Gophers Paying Cole Kramer a Rumored $30K in NIL to Stay for Bowl Game

But, Perich told the Star Tribune on Wednesday, “Florida State is canceled. Nothing is a done deal.” Then on Thursday, Koi took to social media and announced he’ll be announcing his college decision (again) and officially signing a National Letter of Intent next week on December 20, which is early National Signing Day for the 2024 class.

I’ll be signing at 2:30 on Dec 20th in the esko theater everyone is welcome pic.twitter.com/kOleMzK0hC

— Koi Perich (@koiperich3) December 14, 2023

Multiple recruiting insiders at 247Sports are giving Ohio State the edge next week, for obvious reasons. But it seems like the Gophers at least have a fighting chance to keep Koi home.

If nothing else, it seems like PJ and his staff have done everything within their power to land Perich. Sometimes, there’s just nothing you can do, especially in the NIL age.

USC swoops in on Minnesota Gophers in-state commit, Jide Abasiri

But then USC called and things quickly changed. Abasiri scheduled a visit out on the West Coast, which he took over the weekend. Shortly upon his return, the 6-5, 290 pound freak athlete made his Minnesota decommitment official on social media:

Onto the next… pic.twitter.com/hAQp7hSGha

— Jide Abasiri🇳🇬 (@jide_abasiri) December 12, 2023

After a long talk and consideration with my family I have decided to decommit from the University of Minnesota. Thank you to all the coaches at Minnesota for helping and believing and me

Pre Season at 295
Post Season at 270
Slowly getting the weight back up. pic.twitter.com/6q8snsWXwn

— Jide Abasiri🇳🇬 (@jide_abasiri) November 17, 2023

I’m going to give Jide the benefit of the doubt and assume his last ‘and’ was meant to be an ‘in’. But no matter, this one hurts. Abasiri was not the top-rated Gopher commit in their 2024 class but he was someone the Minnesota staff was very excited about; an excitement the USC coaches obviously shared.

Related: Gophers Add Three More Transfer Commits to Cap Active First Week in Portal

PJ Fleck in danger of losing other top 2024 commits to helmet schools

The Gophers top 2024 commit is named Koi Perich, a national top-100 safety from Esko, MN. As far as we know, Koi is not interested in USC. He is, however, taking visits to two other helmet schools.

Related: Gophers Fly ‘Row The Boat’ Banner Over Koi Perich State Tournament Game

Given their current lot in NIL life, which is improving every day thanks to Dinkytown Athletes, Minnesota cannot afford to continue losing their best recruits to shinier, better-funded programs.

But how much can you blame Fleck or his staff for failing to keep a kid from choosing USC, where Caleb Williams is driving his NIL-paid Porsche around campus with Jordan Addison on Vikings off weeks?

After news broke last week, that Perich received offers from, and scheduled visits to both Ohio State and Florida State, the future isn’t so certain. So what is a University of Minnesota coach to do, in a situation like this? Well, the answer to that seems obvious.

Related: Top In-State Football Commit Vows to Stay with Gophers No Matter the NIL Offer

PJ Fleck, Gophers fly plane with ‘Row The Boat’ banner for Koi Perich

Fleck did what any right-minded head coach would do. He hired a pilot to fly a plane over the Brainerd, MN football field on Saturday, where Perich and his Esko Eskomos teammates were warming up for a state tournament game, with a banner trailing behind it that read ‘Row The Boat’.

That would be a "Row The Boat" banner flying from a plane above #Gophers commit @koiperich3's state tournament game today.

Minnesota definitely gets points for creativity with this one.

Photo from @Jamiebroman2. pic.twitter.com/4LWTLRqsKt

— Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN) November 11, 2023

I reached out to Ryan Burns (247Sports) via his GopherIllustrated.com website, to make sure I read his tweet right. He replied back with confirmation. According to his sources, this was not some crazy Gopher fan playing recruiting hero with his crop duster. It was indeed PJ Fleck and his staff who set up the plane/banner stunt, in order to get Perich’s attention. College football recruiting is amazing.

Pulling out all the flights…

Koi Perich claims he is still committed to the University of Minnesota. But clearly, with visits scheduled elsewhere, it’s a soft commitment, at best. I’m not sure a plane/banner combo will ever be the ticket to winning recruiting battles, but hey, A for effort, I guess.

Read all of our Minnesota Gopher football blogs!

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 ✍️

From the Iron Range to Dinkytown! Welcome to the #Gophers, @isaac_asuma! 〽️#SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/VBDrbQtdLq

— Minnesota Men's Basketball (@GopherMBB) November 8, 2023

Isaac Asuma – Minnesota Gophers future point guard

Asuma, a 6-3; 170 pound point guard from the Iron Range, is the gem of Ben Johnson’s small 2023 class. He’s a 3-star (88 overall) Top-125 prospect, according to 247Sports.com. Isaac is a classic-style point guard who looks to get his teammates going, before himself.

That doesn’t mean he can’t shoot. Ryan James (GopherIllustrated.com) describes Asuma as “a good shooter with range from both mid-range and the three point line and his dribble separation game would be described as very smooth and crafty”

Related: Gopher FB Top Commit Koi Perich to Visit Ohio State and Florida State

Isaac is about to start his senior season at Cherry High School (Iron, MN), looking to top an incredible junior year where he averaged 21 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.6 steals per game. The home state kid chose Minnesota over offers from Butler, Iowa, Iowa State and Xavier.

Grayson Grove – Alexandria, MN

Asuma wasn’t the only signed NLI that Ben Johnson received on Wednesday. Another Minnesota prep standout, Grayson Grove (Alexandria, MN) handed his letter of intent in today, as well.

Grove is a 3-star (86 overall) 6-8, 190 pound power forward prospect who will need more time to develop before we seem him get any meaningful minutes for the Gophers. Grove chose his home state Gophers over St. Thomas, Central Arkansas and Colorado State.

𝓢𝓲𝓰𝓷𝓮𝓭 ✍️

The Maroon & Gold looks good on ya! Welcome to the #Gophers, @GraysonGrove5! 〽️#SkiUMah pic.twitter.com/OI3q3DroSs

— Minnesota Men's Basketball (@GopherMBB) November 8, 2023

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Koi Perich lands offer from Ohio State

That’s because PJ Fleck’s most talented and highly-rated verbal commit of the class, Esko, MN safety named Koi Perich, may be in jeopardy of throwing his oar and jumping overboard.

Thankful for my 13th Offer from THE Ohio State University! @Coach_Eliano @ryandaytime @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/FBjjhUsnPL

— Koi Perich (@koiperich3) November 7, 2023

I’ve written about Perich a couple of times. Shortly after his commitment, Koi vowed allegiance to his hometown Gophers, declaring that, no matter the offer or NIL deal made available to him, he was going to wear maroon and gold when he put on a college football uniform.

Related: Gophers Moved Practice Indoors Last Week Over Concerns that Iowa was Spying on Outdoor Fields

Koi Perich will visit Ohio State and Florida State

But now, just 6-7 months later, Koi Perich has made a giant leap up recruiting rankings and has offers flying in from helmets schools across the country, including USC, Michigan, Florida State and most recently, Ohio State, which Perich announced via his Twitter account on Monday.

It gets worse. 247Sports’ Minnesota recruiting guru, Ryan Burns, reported at GopherIllustrated.com that Perich plans to take visits to both Ohio State and Florida State once the Esko football season comes to a completion.

Perich tells me tonight he’s planning on seeing Ohio State and Florida State after Esko’s season wraps up, so we’ll see what December brings

Ryan Burns – GopherIllustrated.com

Minnesota Gophers all-time football commit

Koi Perich is the 4th-highest rated commitment in the internet age of Minnesota Gophers football history, according to 247Sports.com. Others in the top-10 include Carter Coughlin (2) and Michael Carter (8), two former Gophers who went on to the NFL.

But the top-10 is also riddled with recruits who never played a snap or busted one way or another, like Jeff Jones (1), Clint Brewster (6) and Hayo Carpenter (3). Perich’s fellow 2024 Gopher commit, (OL) Nathan Roy, is ranked 5th in program history.

But I have little doubt, Koi Perich will impact whatever program he decides on because he is a stud. Hopefully, he stays. The below highlight was from last week’s game between Esko and Pequot Lakes, only. Perich’s half season highlight reel is 10 minutes long and every single play is an eye opener.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports fan