Minnesota Gophers True Freshman Phenom Wins Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week

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NCAA Football: Minnesota at UCLA
Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Gophers moved to 4-3 after a tight 21-17 win over the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl, over the weekend. In a close game, freshman Koi Perich yet again came up big in multiple spots. He’s been stepping up all season, and he was a big reason they pulled off this win too.

Koi Perich became a fan favorite before even stepping on the field for the Gophers. Despite getting offers from every helmet school in the country, the pride of Esko MN stayed home. But because of a high school track injury he suffered during the spring, Perich didn’t arrive at the University of Minnesota until June.

Gopher football freshman Koi Perich wins Big Ten defensive player of the week

That’s well after most of his football classmates, some of which arrived all the way back in December. And because of the injury, Koi couldn’t even get on the field right away, once he got to Dinkytown. Yet, just four months later, Perich is easily the highest rated Gopher defender at PFF (88.0 overall defensive grade). And this week, the 6’1″ true freshman safety was named Big Ten Defensive player of the Week.

After today’s announcement, Koi Perich becomes the first Gophers true freshman to win B1G DPOW since Tyrone Carter won the award in 1996. As Andy Greder (Pioneer Press) noted on Twitter, Carter went on to become a 1st-team All American in 1999, the same season he won the Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back in the country).

Esko kid stayed home and now he’s big time

The Esko kid wrapped up Saturday’s win over the Bruins, with 2 tackles and 2 interceptions. That included a game-winning pick on a hail mary attempt. Perich has now snagged game-sealing interceptions two weeks in a row. His first one was more impressive.

But no matter which example you want to go to, the youngster always seems to be in the right place, at the right time. Remember, Koi Perich has only played meaningful snaps in two of Minnesota’s seven games this season. The Gophers were 2-3 through five games. They are 2-0 since Perich has seen more playing time.

Related: CFB Insider: Gophers May Have Won Offseason QB Lottery… in More Ways Than One

Look at the numbers, and you’d have no idea that Koi arrived late. He’s already racked up four total interceptions, which leads the team, not to mention a game-changing forced fumble. Oh, and he has become the team’s No. 1 return specialist. Perich, a former 4-star recruit, stayed home, even after late pushes from Ohio State and Florida State. Just months later, he’s becoming a national sensation. Take notes young local phenoms.

Koi Perich has racked up a total of 10 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 4 interceptions so far during his freshman season with the Minnesota Gophers. And he’s only going to get better. It’ll be exciting to watch how he continues to develop as a player.

Related: What We Learned About the Minnesota Gophers in Nail-Biting Victory Over UCLA

Earning Defensive Player of the Week in one of the toughest conferences in football is a big deal, especially for a true freshman. Like, 1996 big deal. Keeping Koi Perich in-state, alongside landing QB Max Brosmer in the portal, are the two biggest differences in what currently looks like a successful 2024 season… and what would have been a complete disaster.

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