Last year’s recruiting class paid off in a big way for PJ Fleck when true freshman safety Koi Perich quickly emerged as one of college football’s most talked-about young players.
He’s already made a name for himself on defense — but Fleck and his coaching staff believe he’s just getting started. Their vision? Turn Perich into a dynamic, do-it-all weapon who can impact games on both sides of the ball.
In other words, Minnesota might be developing its own version of Travis Hunter.
"He got a ton of credit for being a two-way player, right?" Fleck said of Hunter. "There’s not a lot of people who can do that and do it successfully. We feel Koi can.”
That belief isn’t coming out of nowhere.
Perich showed off his versatility in high school, where he played wide receiver, returned kicks, and starred as a ball-hawking safety. His instincts, athleticism, and all-around football IQ give the Gophers every reason to think he’s built for more than just a single role.
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“I’m not comparing him to Travis Hunter by any means,” Fleck added. “But I’m saying that Hunter is somebody who did it within the last decade and showed how hard it really is. If you’re going to do it, you’ve got to be both feet in on it. But if there’s one person that can do it, it’s Koi.”
It’s also worth noting that Minnesota didn’t showcase anyone in a two-way role last season — including Perich. And yet, he still turned in one of the most impressive freshman campaigns in the Big Ten.
In fact, he was among the best safeties in the country.
Perich finished his freshman season with 48 tackles, five interceptions, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble — all while returning both punts and kickoffs. That kind of production already made him a key piece of the Gophers’ future.
Now, Fleck and his staff are ready to tap into even more.
Still, the plan comes with patience. Fleck made clear that Perich’s offensive reps won’t come all at once. Instead, the staff will ease him into the role — mixing in certain packages and play calls before asking him to take on more.
The idea of Perich getting some touches on offense? It just adds a new twist to what’s already shaping up to be a pretty intriguing college career.
And if things unfold the way Minnesota’s hoping, he might turn into one of the more versatile guys in the sport.