Minnesota safety Koi Perich earns AP Preseason Second-Team All-American honors
Minnesota Golden Gophers star safety Koi Perich continues to build up an impressive pile of preseason honors.
On Monday afternoon, Perich’s latest honor came from the Associated Press as he was named a preseason second-team All-American. With the honor, Perich completes the official sweep of preseason All-American honors while also receiving the honor from the Sporting News and Walter Camp. The three selections make him, in effect, a unanimous preseason All-American, though the NCAA does not officially recognize such a designation.
The former No. 35 prospect in the On3 2024 recruiting rankings, Perich made his presence known quickly last season. Playing in all 13 games, including making three starts, Perich recorded 46 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. He also recorded five interceptions and broke up three additional pass attempts while also forcing one fumble. He also had an impact on special teams, recording over 100 punt and kickoff return yards.
Thanks to his standout season, he earned Sporting News Second-Team All-America honors, FWAA Freshman All-America recognition, First-Team All-Big Ten as a defensive back, Second-Team All-Big Ten as a return specialist (media vote), and was a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
On Monday during his weekly press conference, Gophers’ head coach P.J. Fleck discussed Perich’s ability to stay grounded despite the attention and recognition.
“I think you do your best,” Fleck said. “But I’m not saying that it’s hard to keep him grounded, cause he keeps himself humbled and grounded.”
“Koi has a very unique mindset,” he continued. “And I mean that in the best way, because I haven’t met many people like him. Where his response mechanisms are, he can flush it so quickly. He can focus so intensely on something.”
Perich and the Gophers will begin their 2025 on August 28 against the Buffalo Bulls at Huntington Bank Stadium.
