Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith replacement is playing for Golden Gophers

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Billy Heyen
Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith replacement is playing for Golden Gophers image

The Minnesota Vikings have relied on Harrison Smith's talent, instincts and football IQ at the back of their defense for a long time.

And given that he'll need replacing soon enough, the Vikings are surely thinking about what's next.

Maybe they won't have to look too far.

Koi Perich is entering his sophomore season for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and he's always wanted to play for the Vikings.

"My dream was to play for the Vikings," Perich told reporters. "I would just skip through college if I could and just gone straight to the Vikings, but... ya gotta do your three years."

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Perich has free safety skills, for sure. He picked off a Big Ten-best five passes in 2024 as a freshman.

He's also a local kid, from Esko High School.

It's a long time still before Perich is draft-eligible, but you can bet the Vikings will be keeping on eye on him.

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