Minnesota safety Koi Perich named to Bronko Nagurski Award preseason watch list
On Tuesday, the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award was released, featuring 60 of the best defenders across college football. Among the defenders on the preseason watch list is star Minnesota Golden Gophers safety Koi Perich.
The award is named after Minnesota Golden Gophers legend Bronko Nagurski, who played for the Gophers from 1927 through 1929. Since the inception of the award in 1993, no Golden Gopher has won the award.
The true sophomore safety is coming off a tremendous true freshman season for the Gophers, becoming an instant game changer in the secondary. In 13 games, the Esko, Minnesota native recorded 46 tackles, three tackles for loss, and five interceptions. His 88.9 overall defensive grade on Pro Football Focus ranked seventh in college football among all safeties and ahead of notables such as Caleb Downs (Ohio State) and R.J. Mickens (Clemson).
For his performance, Perich earned All-Big Ten First Team honors as a defensive back as well as being named a FWAA Freshman All-American and a Sporting News Second Team All-American.
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During Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas, Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck unsurprisingly was talking very highly of his star safety.
“I think that’s really impressive when you think about it; He got there in June. And then by December, he was all of that (All-American, freshman All-American, first team All-Big Ten),” Fleck said about Perich. “But it doesn’t surprise me if you watch this kid play basketball, run track, and play football. He loves to play.”
“He’s a throwback,” he added. “He’s like a lot of us who grew up. You came home when the lights went on, but you played all day. That’s what he loves to do,” he continued. “And we’re lucky that we have him. He’s a direct example of the recruiting success we are having at the University of Minnesota.”
Which Golden Gophers have been named to preseason watch lists?
Maxwell Award: Darius Taylor
Bronco Nagurski Trophy: Koi Perich
Lott IMPACT Trophy: Anthony Smith, Koi Perich
