Not only did they win just seven, but Fleck got embarrassed by Iowa in his ninth season on the job, and they didn’t perform well against Northwestern, either. Minnesota is headed to the Rate Bowl against New Mexico in Phoenix, but the page needs to be flipped to 2026.

If the Gophers are going to be better next year, it will be because Drake Lindsey, Koi Perich, and Darius Taylor contribute in a big way. They aren’t going to be cheap to keep around, either, as the transfer portal will soon heat up.

MN Gophers spending big on key roster talent

The college sports landscape has changed amidst the introduction of NIL spending. Roster creating, especially in revenue generating sports, is not simply a byproduct of recruiting anymore. Dollars are attached to expectations, and Charley Walters revealed the substantial amount Minnesota will need to pay their stars.

It is expected to cost the Gophers at least $1 million to retain redshirt QB Drake Lindsey for his sophomore season next year. That would make him and 2016 junior defensive back Koi Perich at least a $2 million duo. Add Darius Taylor and the cost could exceed $3 million for trio.

Charley Walters – Pioneer Press

Drake Lindsey hardly set the world on fire this season. He completed 63.2% of his passes, with 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. At times, he looked every bit of a redshirt freshman. However, he also showed off his special arm talent, and there’s clearly a path for development.

Needing to pay a guy like Lindsey seven figures to retain his services is indicative of what college football has become, way too expensive… Minnesota will likely pony up for the Arkansas native who has always had a soft spot in his heart for the home state Razorbacks. It’s also probably helpful that his mentor, Vikings QB Max Brosmer is still in town.

Perich earned a hefty jump in NIL funds after leading the Big Ten in interceptions as a true freshman. The Minnesota native was nowhere near as noticeable this year, but he did record his first pick six. It seems logical he’ll be back, but the number will only increase.

Of the trio, Darius Taylor would seem to be the most expendable. An extremely talented running back, but rarely can be counted upon to remain on the field. Taylor played in just nine games for the Gophers while nursing a hamstring injury, and someone else paying for him to be injured on their sideline wouldn’t be the worst outcome.

Attendance still an issue for Minnesota Gophers

P.J. Fleck has the best recruiting class in history for the Minnesota Gophers for 2026. He held onto that talent despite the 7-5 record, but he’ll need to do much better in order to generate additional interest in the program. Walters added this about attendance for the Gophers:

Meanwhile, Gophers football attendance has decreased for a second straight season, averaging 46,519 for its seven games this year in 50,085-capacity Huntington Bank Stadium. The Gophers’ highest attendance average in history was 62,954 in 1957 at Memorial Stadium. The Metrodome years topped out at 60,985 in 1985; and the Huntington Bank Stadium high is 52,355 in 2015. During Fleck’s nine seasons at Minnesota, home attendance — excluding the abbreviated COVID 2020 season — has averaged 45,257.

Pioneer Press

When things are good at Huntington Bank Stadium, they can be really good. The problem is that Fleck has largely failed to sustain consistency. It might have seemed odd to storm the field after beating Nebraska, but it could have held more weight if the season trended in a positive direction.

At some point Fleck needs to reach a new level. He is 6-0 in bowl games at Minnesota, but has won less than nine games each of the past three seasons. An outlier 11-2 season with Tanner Morgan in 2019 is the high-water mark, and he’s shown zero semblance of returning to those heights since.

The Boilermakers aren’t the doormat that Northwestern State was, but this is a bad Big Ten team, and one the Gophers should have handled. After being trounced by Ohio State last week, a rebound was necessary.

Until a star needing his own standout performance showed up, the Gophers identity was hard to find.

Koi Perich saves the Minnesota Gophers

Make no mistake, this has not been a good season for Koi Perich. He was abysmal against the Cal Golden Bears in an unexpected road loss, and he’s hardly had the impact he did as a true freshman last season.

After leading the Big Ten with five interceptions in 2024, and looking like a special talent, the intention was to expand his workload as a wide receiver. Whether that change of focus impacted his concentration, or the spotlight got too bright, the experiment ended quickly (and it needed to).

Short of flattening former Gophers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, he hadn’t made a signature stamp on a game. That changed on Saturday against Purdue.

Koi Perich are you kidding?! 🤯 @GopherFootball

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/whABrTdOpv

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 12, 2025

Just after the Gophers had tied the game at 20, Boilermakers quarterback Ryan Browne dropped back and slung a pass over the middle. Perich hopped off the turf, picked it, and scampered in for six.

The play gave Minnesota their first lead of the game. Despite the contest looking like a slog for the Gophers, Perich provided a moment for fans to get behind and showed up in a way he can use to boost the rest of his season.

P.J. Fleck on Koi Perich:
Koi was Koi. That’s the best way I could describe it.

He’s gonna have a hard game, every player is gonna have a hard game. Koi, more than anybody was disappointed after Cal, but he made the biggest step of his career after that football game. #Gophers pic.twitter.com/gn8dOmBOpT

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) October 12, 2025

P.J. Fleck on Koi Perich:
Koi was Koi. That’s the best way I could describe it.

He’s gonna have a hard game, every player is gonna have a hard game. Koi, more than anybody was disappointed after Cal, but he made the biggest step of his career after that football game. #Gophers pic.twitter.com/gn8dOmBOpT

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) October 12, 2025

Domination up front is new for Minnesota

The Gophers have often been a program known for strong running games and defense that can carry a grind-it-out offense. That couldn’t have been further from the case on Saturday night.

Purdue generated nearly 200 more yards and the difference was the running game and the impact of the trenches. Darius Taylor, the Gophers star tailback, turned 14 carries into just 32 yards. The 2.3 yards per carry average was reflective of a line that couldn’t get push all night. Unfortunately that’s been a trend at times this season as well.

On the flip side, and reflective of another unfortunate trend, was the inability to stop the run. Sure, Browne can scramble and did so eight times for 61 yards. However, Devin Mockobee ran 21 times for 98 yards. Malachi Singleton, who did add in a 40 yard run to get there, had 73 yards on just five carries.

Purdue with the first TD of the night! @BoilerFootball

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/1Uo7DpdZWS

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) October 11, 2025

Minnesota was never going to beat the Buckeyes, and they’ll likely struggle with the Oregon Ducks as well. If they want to win the rest of their schedule though, stopping the run can’t continue to be an issue.

Purdue let the Gophers hang around far too long, and ultimately it bit them. Nebraska is a much better team, and Minnesota has a short week to get it together. Friday night on national television is coming soon.

Koi Perich was coming off the worst game of his collegiate career, and the Gophers couldn’t afford to see that trend continue. He turned in a mixed bag on Saturday, but the focus was back where it needed to be.

Danny Collins’ group as a whole left plenty to be desired though, and it put Minnesota in a tough spot early and often. They were on the field with the game on the line late, and they got the job done when it mattered most.

Athan Kaliakmanis returns to Dinkytown

Things weren’t pretty early for the Minnesota Gophers defense. Former coach and current Rutgers offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarocca dialed up a scheme for Athan Kaliakmanis and the pair rolled out of the gate. Minnesota’s defense couldn’t get anything going, and they found themselves in a 14-0 hole with the Rutgers quarterback starting a perfect 9-for-9.

I continue to be so impressed with the growth of Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis. Would not have been drafted in last year’s class. Now I’m not sure there’s a more accurate quarterback in the country. Stock has soared through the first half of this year pic.twitter.com/XVR1MThjlx

— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) September 27, 2025

For the first quarter-and-a-half of the contest Kaliakmanis looked like something that Minnesota never saw. He was accurate, making good decisions, and delivering on all the possessions.

The Scarlet Knights racked up a significant halftime advantage in terms of both plays run (+24) and time of possession (nearly nine extra minutes) because of their offense. Kaliakmanis made a poor decision on a bad interception thrown to Kerry Brown. Outside of that though, he had the unit rolling.

PICKED ‼️ @GopherFootball

📺: @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/5IjqpEP5y4

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 27, 2025

Minnesota’s missed tackles in the secondary were problematic for the entirety of the game. Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond rushed for 161 yards, and he routinely picked up more space after first contact.

When the Gophers got pressure, and they had a good amount with seven sacks, Kaliakmanis wilted. An opening-drive field goal block by Deven Eastern was huge, and the big plays were where Minnesota made up for the soft middle-ground.

Koi Perich looks right when staying focused for Gophers

Against Cal, Koi Perich looked human on a football field. That isn’t something he has experienced too often. This week the whole idea of moonlighting on offense was entirely thrown out the window. P.J. Fleck had his safety locked in on defense and allowed him to return kicks. It worked.

Welcome back, Athan. pic.twitter.com/zq1WEoHpSI

— Ted (@tlschwerz) September 27, 2025

Perich finished with 11 total tackles, including a sack and one for a loss. He absolutely, as Pioneer Press writer Andy Greder put it, smacked the shit out of Athan Kaliakmanis as well.

With Rutgers leading just seconds before halftime, Perich ripped off a 54-yard kick return that set up a field goal (ultimately missed) try for the Minnesota Gophers. With the offensive responsibilities no longer in his purview, he appeared to be his best self.

There was a missed tackle of Raymond on a 20-yard scamper late that could have saved Rutgers from going ahead 28-24. Still though, the day was much more good than bad for Perich.

The next test is a big one. Minnesota goes on the road to The Shoe. Perich and the defense will need to make further strides if they are going to keep Julian Sayin and the Buckeyes under wraps.

Coming into the contest against Cal on Saturday night, the Gophers found themselves slight road favorites. They were without Taylor though. Things quickly went from bad to worse.

It wasn’t just the injuries that cost Minnesota on Saturday night though. Mental mistakes, multiple of which were made by star two-way player Koi Perich, sank the ship as well.

Running backs in flux for Minnesota Gophers

Fleck gave the first crack at things to Marshall transfer A.J. Turner. Turner had 864 yards on the ground for the Thundering Herd last season and averaged 8.6 yards per carry. Unfortunately he turned in just four totes before suffering an injury of his own.

Injury. #Gophers

Running back AJ Turner can't put any weight on his left leg. Trainers were looking at his left knee after that first-down carry.

Already without Darius Taylor, Minnesota might be down another tailback vs. Cal

— Andy Greder (@andygreder) September 14, 2025

Fleck turned the opportunities over to freshman Fame Ijeboi and Washington transfer Cam Davis. The former turned 16 carries into 85 yards and ripped off a 27-yard gain. Davis was more plodding with just a 2.9 yards per carry average on his 44 yards, but did find the end zone.

There was no sign of last week’s standout, freshman Grant Washington. The Gophers do have a bye week before facing Rutgers on September 27. Hopefully that will be enough time to get one or both of Taylor and Turner back.

Koi Perich puts up a clunker for Gophers

This season was supposed to be a fun one for Minnesota-native Koi Perich. He is attempting the Travis Hunter route playing on both sides of the football. Unfortunately his contributions on defense have not been as solid, and the offensive performance has been rather underwhelming.

On Saturday there seemed to be way too much going on, and he couldn’t lock in on any facet of the game.

and then a blown coverage on the Cal TD pass, not a great sequence there pic.twitter.com/9Tl5oOMyDu

— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) September 14, 2025

It’s not out of pocket to suggest that Perich cost the Gophers a win on Saturday night. He also touched a punt in the first quarter that had his team starting at their own three-yard line instead of being a touchback. The mental mistakes added up and Fleck shared his thoughts postgame.

#Gophers P.J. Fleck on Koi Perich’s struggles against Cal:

“All great players go through adversity. This is probably his first piece of adversity in the 15 months he has been here. He does so many great things and he does it naturally” https://t.co/1yJFNb4Yus pic.twitter.com/Sn8UEViOKb

— GopherHole.com (@GopherHole) September 14, 2025

All great players go through adversity. This is probably his first piece of adversity in the 15 months he has been here. Adversity strengthens you if you use it properly, and you swallow the pill of adversity, and you take accountability and responsibility for it. He does so many great things, and he does them so naturally. He’s been coached really hard by a lot of different people. He’s got a personal wide receivers coach. It’s really hard to do everything…He’ll learn a lot from it. I know he’ll take accountability for it. This is one of his first major adversities he’s had, but it’s coming at some point.

P.J. Fleck

It was an unfortunate night for Perich, but as Fleck suggested, it’s the first time we have seen this from a player who has otherwise been so special. How he responds will be the key, and that opportunity will come against Rutgers.

Related: Gopher Football Paying Out How Much Money to Players?

Perich is far too talented for this performance to drag him down. How the Gophers continue to use him moving forward, and if they dial back the offensive part, remains to be seen. You can bet that the star playmaker will come back with a vengeance though.

Now with an potentially unexpected tally in the loss column, Minnesota will need to tighten things up in a big way moving forward.

Now set to play on both sides of the ball for head coach P.J. Fleck, Perich is looking to take college football by storm. If the Gophers are going to be good this season, and they can be, it will take more than just him though.

Koi Perich is getting a lot of attention before the season, which he deserves. But Safety Kerry Brown is an absolute stud.

They arguably make the best safety duo in the Big Ten. pic.twitter.com/jzFHxSPWPG

— Noel Thompson (@N0ELTHOMPSON) August 15, 2025

The good news is that his running mate at the back-end of the secondary is a stud too. It’s time you got to know Kerry Brown.

Kerry Brown is commanding attention for Minnesota Gophers

For years the Minnesota Gophers have been known as one of the best safety-producing programs in college football. Antoine Winfield Jr. just recently got the bag and Tyler Nubin was a quick star as a rookie for the New York Giants. It’s not just Koi Perich though. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg says best be familiar with Kerry Brown.

Big Ten fans and others probably know about Minnesota’s other safety, Koi Perich, the first-team All-Big Ten defensive back who might be the closest thing to Travis Hunter in 2025 as he takes on a significant role for the offense. But Minnesota also is excited about Brown, who performed well during his first season as a starter, finishing third on the team in tackles and showing active hands in pass coverage. He had pass breakups in each of his last two games, and made several of his biggest tackles on fourth down, where Minnesota thrived (15th nationally in fourth down defense).

ESPN

“Kerry Brown is a very special football player. He is a star on our team, and he’s ready to take that next step. He can do everything. We put him at nickel, we put him at strong [safety], we put him at free [safety], he plays dime on third down. He can do everything. His coverage right now is the best that it’s ever been. He just has a great feel for the game. He can track the ball deep throws, he’s a guy that has a great ability to blitz and he can bend and blade and get his body in different positions to get through the line of scrimmage.”

Danny Collins – ESPN

Last season Kerry Brown played 12 games for the Minnesota Gophers. He had 34 total tackles, three for losses, and two interceptions. With Perich playing on both sides of the ball, Brown’s abilities may be more important than ever.

Danny Collins is taking over as defensive coordinator for Minnesota and the back end of his secondary could be among the most formidable in the country. If Brown is the real deal, and can pair well again with Perich, there’s no reason to think that Minnesota can’t keep opposing offenses in check.

Related: Gopher FB Star Lands on Another Top CFB Talent List

The Gophers kick off their 2025 regular season against the Buffalo Bulls on August 28 at Huntington Bank Stadium.

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.

.@koiperich3 for 7⃣0⃣ yards 👀🃏#RTB #SkiUMah #Gophers pic.twitter.com/9IRpMbqFtP

— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) August 3, 2025

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.

Beyond just who’s under center, there may be no more exciting prospect in the sport than safety Koi Perich. The Esko, Minnesota product stayed home. He then stayed home again when the portal could have been a reality.

Now set to play on both sides of the ball, his arrow is pointing straight up. It’s going to take additional effort from Perich to thrive in this role, but the Travis Hunter comparisons aren’t going to slow down.

Koi Perich will do it all for Minnesota Gophers

Last season Travis Hunter took the college football world by storm on his way to a Heisman trophy. He played at an incredibly high level on both sides of the football. Koi Perich will attempt to do the same thing this season for the Minnesota Gophers, and it’s possible that Fleck’s star takes Minnesota to new heights.

The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman is convinced he’s the real deal, and he certainly didn’t hold back on the Hunter comparisons.

Travis Hunter blazed a path for current and future two-way football stars by channeling his exceptional athletic ability into an unprecedented workload during last year’s Heisman Trophy-winning campaign at Colorado. First in line to follow his example is Minnesota’s sophomore safety, who made an immediate impact in his debut college season and has eyes on adding to his plate this fall. He’s perhaps the most versatile threat in college football, but the major question facing Perich is whether he can produce on offense while remaining effective on defense, where he primarily shined as a freshman.

It requires talent, conditioning and endurance for any player to threaten Hunter’s average of 119 snaps per game. But it’s not hyperbole to suggest Perich can approach a similar snap count while impacting games on both sides of the ball. As a true freshman last fall, Perich led the Big Ten with five interceptions and was the only Football Bowl Subdivision freshman since 1976 to total more than 100 punt return yards (188), 100 kick return yards (314) and five interceptions in a season. Among Big Ten performers, Perich ranked fourth in punt return average and sixth as a kick returner.

The Athletic

While the direct correlation between Hunter and Perich doesn’t have to be statistical production based, it will be worth watching overall snap rates. It’s clear that Fleck is going to unplug the firehose and douse Perich with as much as he can handle as well.

“This isn’t a gimmick. This is a real thing where he’s going to play offense. It could be a Wildcat quarterback. He’s going to be on defense, he’s going to kick return, he’s going to punt return. But Koi will show us what he can handle and how much we give him. We’re going to do as much as Koi will allow us to do. There’s not a lot of people who can do that and do it successfully. We feel Koi can, and I’m not comparing him to Travis by any means, but I’m saying that he is somebody who did it within the last decade. That’s how hard it really is. And if you’re going to do it, you’ve got to be both feet in on it. But if there’s one person that can do it, it’s Koi.”

P.J. Fleck – The Athletic

How much Perich can handle in this role is something that remains to be seen. He’s an uber-talented athlete that plays football. He has played offense and defense, but he lives between the lines. It’s not a leap to suggest he isn’t the biggest film or preparation guy. To what extent that holds him back remains to be seen.

Related: Koi Perich Leaving Gophers for Vikings ASAP

If Perich can fully commit to excellence on both sides of the football though, he’s going to have the opportunity to do something specia.

Perich and MN Gophers have opportunity in front of them

Minnesota’s schedule isn’t exactly a house of horrors this season. They travel to both Oregon and Ohio State, but there isn’t another opponent on the docket that looks like a guaranteed loss. That should be invigorating for both Perich and Fleck.

Although Minnesota went just 8-5 last season, they built momentum with their Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. This is Fleck’s opportunity to prove he got the quarterback position right again in the form of Drake Lindsey.

Minnesota’s Koi Perich is one of the best players in the country

Playing both ways and as a returner he impacts the game in so many ways

So excited to watch him this year pic.twitter.com/A6RRksuAc9

— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) July 11, 2025

Perich led the Big Ten last season with five interceptions. He added 46 tackles and has three behind the line of scrimmage. He’ll now rack up offensive statistics as well, and the more Minnesota can push him into positive production the better.

Related: New Gophers QB Tasked With More Responsibilities at LOS

Travis Hunter doesn’t have to be the measuring stick, but Perich is just a sophomore and it’s up to him if the bar is going to be raised.

Max Brosmer is no longer on the team. Instead he’s working to secure QB2 duties behind J.J. McCarthy for the Minnesota Vikings. It’s the Drake Lindsey show, and if he can produce, this team could be very good.

No one is drawing more hype than Koi Perich though, and for good reason. The Minnesota-native is going to be utilized all over the field, and every single preseason award list wants to include him.

Koi Perich racking up the preseason accolades for Gophers

Koi Perich understands that college is a necessary part of the process. His eyes are set on the NFL, and the more that the safety can do to stand out on P.J. Fleck’s squad, the more likely he winds up there. With preseason award lists taking shape, it’s easier to highlight which ones Perich is not on.

Beyond just individual awards, Perich also litters Preseason All-American lists and you’d be hard-pressed to find an outlet willing to exclude him.

So what’s being said about Perich to include him in such rarified air? The better question is who isn’t talking about him.

The 6-1, 200-pound Esko, Minn., native and former top-100 recruit started only three games but earned Freshman All-American and first-team Big Ten honors last season. Perich tallied 46 tackles and grabbed five interceptions in only 424 snaps on defense. He also showed elite skills as a return man.

The Athletic

The Golden Gophers lost one of college football’s best safeties in Tyler Nubin and immediately found another in Perich. The true freshman’s five interceptions this past season trailed only Xavier Watts among FBS safeties, while his 88.9 PFF grade was seventh. He was also one of only seven safeties in America who earned 80-plus grades both in coverage and in run defense.

Pro Football Focus

It remains to be seen how high the heights for Perich can be. Last season, as a true freshman, he forced his way onto the field for regular reps.

Across 13 games, Perich recorded 46 total tackles including three for losses. He picked off a Big Ten-leading five passes and forced a fumble as well.

Koi Perich ready for an Minnesota Gophers encore

Perich is still at least another season away from being able to declare for the NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean this next one in Dinkytown isn’t going to be a ton of fun.

After Perich lived up to the billing as the top in-state recruit, he is adding to his arsenal. This time around Perich is going to be utilized on offenses and wherever-the-heck-else P.J. Fleck pleases. Perich is cut from the Travis Hunter cloth in being an athletic freak, and he’s all the way bought in.

Minnesota’s Koi Perich gets it done on both sides of the ball 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/OT1Td2vILx

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 4, 2025

While it’s unlikely that Perich flashes as a top wide receiver, the same could be said about Colorado’s Hunter. The amazement was in the utility, and he flashed as a standout on both sides of the ball.

Related: New Gophers QB Tasked With More Responsibilities at LOS

We’ll see to what extent Perich can replicate that production, but after his freshman season, you’d be goofy to bet against him.

Because of that, the safety was limited in his playing time, to start the 2025 Gophers football season. Nonetheless, the homegrown supertalent seemed to impact the game every time he got on the field.

To go with his 46 combined tackles and 3 passes defended, Koi Perich snagged 5 interceptions (which led the Big Ten) and forced 1 fumble. He also sat near the top of the conference in most punt/kick return categories.

Reminder: Freshman Koi Perich led the @bigten in INTs last season 😲

Relive all 5️⃣ of the @GopherFootball star's picks 👇#B1GFootball x @koiperich3 pic.twitter.com/pxNXkLJqih

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) June 30, 2025

It just seemed that, in every big moment, the 18-year-old kid did something special. And not only did Koi’s historic freshman season earn him a place on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, but he was also named 1st Team All Big-Ten and 2nd Team All-American.

Gopher phenom Koi Perich ready to build on huge freshman season

Entering 2025, PJ Fleck and the Minnesota Gophers appear determined to play Koi Perich on both sides of the ball. He’s even been wearing a multi-colored practice jersey this spring and summer. I’m all for it. This is one of the most talented players to ever wear a maroon and gold uniform.

Fleck and his coaches (on all sides of the ball) should squeeze every ounce of CFB talent/usage possible out of Perich. Not only will it help Minnesota win more football games, but it will undoubtedly help grow the brand too.

Minnesota Safety Koi Perich Last Season:

🐿️ 260 Coverage Snaps
🐿️ Zero TDs Allowed
🐿️ 28.7 Passer Rating Allowed
🐿️ 88.9 Coverage Grade

20th Ranked Player on the 2025 PFF College 50⭐️ pic.twitter.com/ZTtNVs8MEi

— PFF College (@PFF_College) July 3, 2025

Minnesota’s Koi Perich is one of the best players in the country

Playing both ways and as a returner he impacts the game in so many ways

So excited to watch him this year pic.twitter.com/A6RRksuAc9

— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) July 11, 2025

Related: Koi Perich NIL Number with Minnesota Gophers Revealed

And in return, the small-town kid out of Esko will have more opportunities for national recognition, over the next couple years, than any Gopher in modern football history, and way more than any helmet schools (like Ohio State) could have offered him.

Let’s be real, too. While there’s little concern, at this point, that the Minnesota Gophers will lose Koi Perich to the transfer portal, his time in college football is limited. This kid is an NFL talent, and guess what? He knows it.

Koi Perich has already used up one of his four years of standard college eligibility. And while there are quite a few ways to get a fifth year these days, don’t expect Minnesota’s young superstar to stick around any longer than he has to.

Koi Perich didn’t dream of playing for Gophers, wants to be a Viking

On Wednesday, at Gopher football media day, Koi told reporters gathered at the U of M football facilities that his dream was never to play for his home state’s only power conference collegiate football program.

In fact, Perich never dreamed of playing college football at all. His only dream is at the next level. But Koi is like any out-state kid from MN. His childhood football dreams aren’t just in the NFL, he specifically wants to play for the Minnesota Vikings.

"My dream was to play for the Vikings. I would just skip through college if I could and just gone straight to the Vikings..but… ya gotta do your three years…"

– Koi Perich Gophers Safety

Manifesting himself to be the heir to Harrison Smith.pic.twitter.com/07EdGy9yBA

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 16, 2025

Reporter: “Was [playing for the Minnesota Gophers] always a dream of yours growing up?”

Perich: “No, I didn’t watch college football. My dream was to play for the Vikings. I would just skip through college if I could and just gone straight to the Vikings. But, you gotta do your three years, and I’m willing to do it.”

Koi Perich – Gophers Football media day (video via KSTP Sports)

Related: PFF Grades Confirm: Gophers’ Koi Perich is a True Freshman Phenom

As Koi reminds us, football fans in this state, especially outside of the Twin Cities, live and die with the Minnesota Vikings. But Gopher diehards shouldn’t be offended by that. If anything, it means we could very well see the future Dinkytown legend trade in his maroon and gold, for purple and gold.

Whether he’s able to manifest that destiny straight out of the draft, or later on in his career, has yet to be determined. One thing is certain, however. As long as this kid stays healthy, he will be an early round draft pick in 2027, after he finishes his required three seasons with the Gophers.

Not only was Koi an All-American as a freshman, but entering his sophomore season, the 6’1″, 200lb safety/utility weapon has been tagged as one of the 20 best players in all of college football, by PFF.

Minnesota’s Koi Perich is one of the best players in the country

Playing both ways and as a returner he impacts the game in so many ways

So excited to watch him this year pic.twitter.com/A6RRksuAc9

— CFBTalkDaily (@CFBTalkDaily) July 11, 2025

After just one year of high-level football, Perich is already developing into the type of talent that NFL scouts will be drooling to get their hands on just as quickly as he is willing to make the jump.

Koi Perich dreams of playing for Minnesota Vikings just like every other local out-state kid

Koi and I have very few things in common, most notably, football talent. But as two people who were born and raised in small town Minnesota, we share one thing for sure. We fell in love with the game of football because of the Vikings, who have owned the greater MN sports market since the mid-90s.

Football kids in Minnesota, especially those who grow up away from the Twin Cities, are raised idolizing and pedestalizing the Vikings like their fandom means the difference between making it to heaven and being sent south for the rest of your eternal winters.

Related: Gopher Football Conceding Chunk of New RevShare Money to Men’s Basketball?

For 30-somethings like me (and Adam Thielen), it was Randy Moss, Cris Carter and whoever happened to be throwing them the football between the 1998 and early 2000s seasons. Those Vikings teams revolutionized the game of football and hooked millions of local kids my age.

Randy Moss: 1 of 1

🎥: Vikings YouTube pic.twitter.com/fHq4ADyWN8

— SleeperVikings (@SleeperVikings) June 21, 2025

For older teenagers, like Koi Perich, and early twenty-somethings a bit older than he is, they remember Brett Favre and the Vikings’ run in 2009-10, along with the Minneapolis Miracle from 2017-18.

What few of us think about when we dig back into our football memories, is the Minnesota Gophers, who have hovered from mediocre to terrible for most of our modern day lives. PJ Fleck is helping to turn that around and Huntington Bank Stadium is more full now than at any U of M football stadium most of us have attended.

The Gophers’ only high school signee ever ranked higher than Perich was Washburn running back Jeff Jones (2014), who never recorded a carry or catch in his two years at the U of M. Now entering his sophomore season, it’s safe to say Koi Perich’s collegiate career is going in the complete opposite direction.

As a true freshman, Perich led the Big Ten in interceptions, with five — to go with 46 tackles, 3 passes defended and 1 forced fumble — in an epic first season that earned him 1st Team All-Big Ten defense, 2nd Team All-Big Ten return specialist and NCAA All-Freshman defense (The Athletic).

Minnesota Gophers have Koi Perich wearing offense/defense jersey at practice

But defense may not be the end of Koi Perich’s collegiate aspirations. At Minnesota’s spring practice on Tuesday, which was open to media, the uber-talented safety was wearing a dual-colored jersey that allowed him to take reps on both offense and defense.

A split jersey for #Gophers star DB Koi Perich in spring practice.

He said the QB's were having trouble seeing him all over the field, and the jersey was Fleck's idea. @KSTPSports pic.twitter.com/Mk4iaELtI8

— Alec Ausmus (@A_TwiceKSTP) April 9, 2025

Koi Perich rocking that dual jersey.

Half offense, half defense. pic.twitter.com/H8PnNebV0p

— Ryan Burns (@RyanBurnsMN) April 8, 2025

According to 247Sports’ Ryan Burns, the white portion of Perich’s new practice jersey signifies the offensive side of the football. Maroon is the defensive side. The plan for Koi offensively is at wide receiver, but Fleck told media members gathered on Tuesday that the true sophomore will have to earn his snaps on that side of the football.

Related: Top MN Gophers Lineman Returning for 2025

Koi Perich took snaps on offense during three Minnesota Gophers games last season and he let the only pass thrown his way slip through his fingers. But last year the 6’1″, 200 lb true freshman didn’t arrive in Dinkytown until the summer, due to his commitment to his high school track team last spring.

“I think Coach Harbaugh has done a really good job of giving him what he can handle. But whatever we give him, we want him to be really good at. This isn’t just a gadget thing. We want him to be an athlete on this football team and make plays on every side of the ball, plus the return game and he’s done a really good job of handling all of it.”

PJ Fleck on Koi Perich playing both sides of the football (via 247Sports)

#Gophers safety Koi Perich sporting a dual off/def jersey at practice while getting reps on both sides of the ball.@koiperich3 on going both ways: "It means a lot."

Coach Fleck: "He's a versatile athlete. The more you can do with Koi Perich, the better off you're going to be." pic.twitter.com/M8s28Jqpl3

— Will Hall (@WillHallKARE11) April 9, 2025

That’s why he didn’t start his first game until later in the season. Obviously, that is not a problem this spring. And now, PJ Fleck is looking to utilize all of Koi’s talent. If it works, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Perich play hundreds of snaps on both sides of the football, not to mention his continued ability as a returner.