Minnesota Gophers breakout star would ‘skip through college’ to play for Vikings

Ryan OLeary

•
Minnesota Gophers breakout star would ‘skip through college’ to play for Vikings image

Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Minnesota Vikings will soon be in the market for their next franchise safety, and an ascending college prospect who plays at nearby Huntington Bank Stadium would like to formally submit his resume.

Minnesota Gophers safety Koi Perich, one of the nation’s breakout freshman stars from the 2024 season, recently told KSTP-TV Channel 5 that he would have skipped the college game altogether for the chance to be drafted by the Vikings — full Kevin Garnett style.

When asked if joining the hometown Gophers was a childhood dream, Perich gave a somewhat hilarious one-word answer: “No.”

“I didn’t watch college football,” Perich said. “My dream was to play for the Vikings. I would just skip through college if I could, and just go straight to the Vikings. But you gotta do your three years. I’m willing to do it.”

Perich, who played his high school ball at Esko High School in northern Minnesota, took some major strides toward his stated ultimate goal in 2024. After turning down a late push from Ohio State’s Ryan Day and sticking with Minnesota, per the Star Tribune, Perich was a game-changer on defense and special teams for coach P.J. Fleck and the Gophers. 

Perich finished his freshman campaign with a Big Ten leading five interceptions, and his overall PFF grade of 89.9 ranked first among freshmen safeties and sixth overall among all Power Four players at his position.

His interest in the Vikings could very well be mutual, as Kevin O’Connell and company tend to keep a close eye on Fleck’s top prospects. The Vikes will have two former Gophers — stud linebacker Blake Cashman and undrafted rookie QB Max Brosmer — on the field for the start of training camp later this month, and you can bet on Perich being on their radar, given their projected future need at the safety position.

All-time franchise great Harrison Smith is entering what is expected to be his swan song season with the Vikings here in 2025. Safety Josh Metellus has been an underrated star in the NFL for years, but he’ll be playing on an expiring contract this season. Beyond the starters, neither Theo Jackson nor Jay Ward are locks to be on the roster when Perich becomes NFL Draft eligible in 2027. The Vikings also have an opening right now for a punt return specialist, which is an area where Perich excels.

The stars will ultimately have to align for Perich to one day get drafted by the Vikings, but could he end up being the next Harrison Smith? As Lloyd Christmas would say, “So you're telling me there's a chance?”

MORE VIKIINGS NEWS:

Ryan OLeary

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.