 Perich at 2025 Big Ten Media Days | |
| Oregon Ducks | |
|---|---|
| Position | Safety |
| Class | Sophomore |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 26, 2005 Esko, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Esko (Esko, Minnesota) |
| College | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
| Stats at ESPN | |
Koi Perich (born September 26, 2005) is an American college football safety for the Oregon Ducks. He previously played for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.
Early life
[edit]Perich attended Esko High School in Esko, Minnesota. As a junior, he rushed for over 800 yards, notched 75 tackles, two sacks, three interceptions, four forced fumbles, and 25 touchdowns.[1] In the first game of his senior season, Perich intercepted two passes which he returned both for touchdowns.[2] As a senior, he amassed 27 total touchdowns: 16 rushing, five defensive, four return, one passing, and one receiving.[3][4] Perich also notched 76 tackles, three interceptions, and four fumble recoveries on defense,[5] earning all-state recognition.[6] He accepted an invite to play in the All-American Bowl, where he intercepted a pass on the goal line and blocked a punt en route to earning game MVP honors.[7]
Recruiting
[edit]Perich received offers from schools such as USC, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Washington,[8] as well as late offers from Florida State and Ohio State.[9] He committed to play college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.[10]
| College recruiting information (2024) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
| Koi Perich Safety |
Esko, Minnesota | Esko High School | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | Apr 19, 2023 | |
Recruit ratings: Rivals:  247Sports: ESPN: (82)
| ||||||
College career
[edit]
As a freshman, Perich recorded 24 solo tackles, one pass defended, one forced fumble, and five interceptions.[11] He was named first-team All-Big Ten Conference and second-team All-American following the conclusion of the regular season.[12][13]
Koi Perich entered his sophomore season in 2025 with increased responsibilities across defense, special teams, and occasional offensive snaps.[14] Mistakes early in the season led to a reduction of offensive snaps, but Perich scored a game winning touchdown on his first career defensive score to win the schools 2025 homecoming game against Purdue.[15]
On January 1, 2026, Perich announced that he would enter the transfer portal.[16]
On January 12, 2026, Perich announced that he would be transferring to The University of Oregon.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ Nelson, Joe (April 19, 2023). "4-star safety Koi Perich commits to Gophers". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Greder, Andy. "How Gophers football recruited and signed four-star safety Koi Perich". Pioneer Press. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Scoggins, Chip. "Koi Perich's fire burns hot. Get ready, Gophers". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Wald, Jeff. "Gophers, P.J. Fleck sign top in-state player Koi Perich to 2024 class". FOX9. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Przytarski, Zach. "Prep football: Esko's Koi Perich shines as a do-it-all defender". Pine Journal. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Malcomb, Jamey. "Esko's Koi Perich is always ready for the 'big stage'". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "Perich earns top honors at All-American Bowl". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Greder, Andy. "'Freak' player Koi Perich has pledged to Gophers, but USC, others not giving up recruiting battle". Pioneer Press. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Nelson, Joe. "No. 1 Minnesota recruit Koi Perich signs with Gophers after Ohio State vist". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "Gophers sign Koi Perich, 24 others, halting a long, frustrating losing skid". Star Tribune. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "Koi Perich". ESPN. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "Gophers' Koi Perich named first team All-Big Ten as true freshman". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
- ^ "The Sporting News 2024 College Football All-America Team". SportingNews.com. December 18, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ Liebert, Tony. “Have the Gophers Put Too Much on Koi Perich's Plate? 'It's Really Hard to Do Everything'.” Sports Illustrated, 15 Sept. 2025, https://www.si.com/college/minnesota/gophers-football/have-the-gophers-put-too-much-on-koi-perich-plate-its-really-hard-to-do-everything. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
- ^ SI Staff. “Koi Perich Delivered When Gophers Football Needed It Most.” Sports Illustrated via MSN, 12 Oct. 2025, https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/koi-perich-delivered-when-gophers-football-needed-it-most/ar-AA1OjPPC. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
- ^ Liebert, Tony (January 1, 2026). "Gophers standout Koi Perich reportedly entering transfer portal". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 1, 2026.