Minnesota's Koi Perich earns 2025 Big Ten Preseason Honors
Minnesota Golden Gophers star safety Koi Perich as earned 2025 Big Ten Preseason Honors. While the Big Ten does not have all preseason teams, the conference does recogonize 16 players from across the confernce prior to the beginning of the season.
Perich, made the cut as one of three safeties from across the conference joining Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman.
Perich, a true sophomore was one of the Big Ten’s top defenders in 2024 as a true freshman. In 13 games played, the Esko (MN) recorded 46 tackles, three tackles for loss, and five interceptions. He also had three pass deflections and one forced fumble. Peich also was a standout punt returner averaging 9.4 yards per return, ffith best in the Big Ten.
For his efforts, he would earn numerous honors including an All-Big Ten First Team selection as a safety and All-Big Ten Second Team selection as a return specialist. He also a finalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award while being named a Freshman All-American by the FWAA and a Second Team All-American by Sporting News.
At Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday, Fleck called the sophomore “He’s a throwback. He’s like a lot of us that grew up,” Fleck said about Perich. “You came hame from when the lights went on, but you played all day. That’s what he loves to do.”
Fleck also made sure to note that Perich will be play all three phases in 2025 for the Golden Gophes; offense, defense, and special teams. “We’re lucky that we have him,” Fleck said. “He’s a direct example of the recruiting sucess we are having at the University of Minesota.”
Fleck, Perich, and the Gophers will begin their 2025 season on August 28 at Huntington Bank Stadium against the Buffalo Bulls. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT.
