The Minnesota Golden Gophers are coming off a strong season defensively, and one of the biggest reasons why was the emergence of a true freshman in the secondary — a player who’s now gaining national attention.
At least Pro Football Focus thinks so.
PFF released its “College 50” rankings this week, highlighting the top 50 players in the country ahead of the 2025 season. Minnesota safety Koi Perich landed at No. 20 overall.
“The Golden Gophers lost Tyler Nubin, one of college football’s best safeties, to the NFL and immediately found a viable replacement in Perich,” PFF wrote. “The true freshman’s five interceptions this past season trailed only Xavier Watts among FBS safeties. His 88.9 PFF overall grade ranked seventh, and he was one of only seven safeties in college football who earned 80.0-plus PFF grades both in coverage and run defense.”
Perich wasted no time proving he could live up to the hype. The former four-star recruit stepped into a starting role as a freshman and quickly became one of the Big Ten’s most impactful defenders — combining athleticism, instincts, and physicality in the secondary.
Beyond his work at safety, Perich also made plays on special teams, doubling as a dangerous return man and showcasing the all-around versatility that has NFL scouts already taking notice.
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“Perich doubles as a dangerous return man, is athletic enough to win at free safety, and brings the requisite physicality to succeed in the box,” PFF wrote.
The numbers back it up.
Perich’s five interceptions were near the top for any safety in the country, but that was only part of the story. He showed time and time again that he can make plays in coverage and hold his own against the run — a rare combination for a young defensive back.
Now entering his sophomore season, Perich is expected to be the anchor of the Gophers secondary — with plenty of attention following him every step of the way.