Koi Perich is Trying to Make Up for Late Start with Gophers

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Koi Perich, Minnesota Gophers
Credit: Photo courtesy of Koi Perich (@koiperich3 - X)

Esko, MN native, Koi Perich, is the 2nd highest-rated modern-day high school recruit to ever commit to the University of Minnesota, according to 247Sports. Koi’s 96 overall rating pins him just ahead of 95-rated Carter Coughlin (Eden Prairie – 2016), and right behind 97-rated, Jeff Jones (Washburn – 2014).

This kid could have played at whichever helmet school he wanted. The 6’0″, 200 lb safety ranked as the No. 73 high school prospect in the nation, on National Signing Day. He even visited Ohio State two weeks before NSD, while verbally committed to the Gophers.

But in the end, Koi spurned the Buckeyes, along with offers from Florida State, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, USC and Washington. And now, he’s on campus at his home state power five school, hoping to become a local football hero.

We covered Koi Perich’s recruitment process, at nauseum. If you’re trying to get caught up quickly, just watch a few of his high school highlights. Pick the video game, and the era. You won’t find a cheat code like 17-year-old Koi Perich vs other small-town MN teenagers.

Koi Perich’s loyalty proves to be a double edged sword…

Esko’s last census came back with just over 2,100 people. It sits directly off I-35, about ten miles short of Duluth, just a few miles after the Cloquet exit. When small town communities like Esko luck into an athletic freak, like Koi Perich, those kids rarely stick to one sport.

In Koi’s case, he starred in football, basketball and track, for the Eskimos. His commitment to the U of M put Perich’s loyalty on display. As did his decision to stick around Esko this spring, so he could honor commitments he made to both his basketball and track teammates.

Hopefully, that loyalty pays dividends down the road. Being a good person usually does. But Koi’s delayed arrival is not helping his pursuit to find immediate playing time at safety, for the Minnesota Gophers. Head coach PJ Fleck admitted as much, on Saturday.

“He wants to be coached. We’re putting [Koi] in a ton of spots. As a coach, you wish he would have come here in January … but he’s made up so much ground already.”

PJ Fleck on true freshman Koi Perich (via Star Tribune)

All the way back in January, while Perich was still sitting in high school study hall, nine of his U of M freshman cohorts were graduating high school a semester early and getting onto campus. That was six months prior to his arrival.

Perich came in six months behind other Minnesota Gophers freshmen

At that point, Perich was still trying to lead the Esko basketball team through a regular season that ended with a loss in the section championship game to Pequot Lakes. Then, while Koi was running for the Esko track team this spring, he suffered a season ending hamstring injury that killed his state meet hopes in that sport too.

Not only did that injury end Perich’s high school track career and any remaining hopes of a high school state title, but it also set him back in his early development as a division one power five safety. When Koi did finally arrive on campus, in June, he was still nursing that bad hamstring.

Related: What Happened to PJ Fleck’s Face?

Now, Koi Perich seems to be back at full strength. But there’s only four weeks remaining until the Minnesota Gophers’ first game of the season, which is at home vs the North Carolina Tar Heels on August 29.

Catch-up will start with special teams

As of August 4, the freshman phenom’s best chance at playing time on Thursday night under the lights at Huntington Bank Stadium is via special teams, possibly as a punt returner.

Perich did get some reps at safety, but mostly with the younger group of players. Ryan Burns (247Sports) wouldn’t even consider those as being 2nd team reps. Nonetheless, when No. 3 is on the field, he’s usually making plays.

Related: Koi Perich Snags Interception, Blocks Punt, Wins All-American Bowl MVP

According to multiple reports, Koi nearly picked off a pass from fellow freshman, Drake Lindsey, which would have been six easy points the other way, had he caught it.

Freshman wunderkind Koi Perich did mix in at free safety, yes. But it was with the younger guys. He broke on a Drake Lindsey pass that should have been a pick-six across the middle if he catches it, but he couldn’t hang on. He’s a physically impressive kid, and if he keeps making plays like that, he’ll keep getting more opportunities. 

Ryan Burns – 247Sports (GopherIllustrated)

The 6-foot, 200 pound Esko kid was one of six Gophers who took reps returning punts, on Saturday night, during a practice that was open to public. It’s the only practice this fall that fans will be able to attend.

Related: Gophers Football Cornerstone Ranked Among Best in the Nation

We all expect Koi Perich to be a very special football player at the University of Minnesota. How much of that talent will we see blossom during his freshman season? That is yet to be determined.

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