Minnesota 4-star safety commit Koi Perich cancels FSU official visit, Ohio State trending

Ohio State’s recruiting class is nearly full, with 22 commitments already including a quartet of five-stars. But the Buckeyes still have a few targets on their radar as the final week before the Early Signing Period looms.

There are few on that list more important than four-star Esko (Minn) Lincoln Secondary safety and Minnesota commit Koi Perich, who took an official visit to Columbus over the weekend. Both OSU and Florida State have been coveting the elite defensive playmaker, and he was scheduled to take an official visit to Tallahassee this weekend.

However, he told LettermenRow.com’s Matt Parker that he has canceled that visit.

“I’m actually not going down anymore, they already have a commitment so there’s no reason for me to go down there,” Perich said.

Prediction goes in favor of the Buckeyes

And now, Parker has made an expert prediction in the Buckeyes favor to flip Perich in the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

“Koi Perich wants to play football within a winning program and a winning culture,” Parker wrote in his explaining his prediction. “Ohio State finished the regular season with one loss. Minnesota finished with seven losses. Pair that with the departure of the defensive coordinator and then any potential positional coaching changes with a new hire, it feels as if the high-caliber safety is ready to put himself in a more competitive space.

… That space is with the Buckeyes. As far as a timeline goes, as mentioned the Minnesota coaching brass is meeting with Perich on Wednesday. He told Lettermen Row he is planning on taking a few days to mull over his decision and go from there. We’re expecting, at the earliest, a decision at the start of the weekend.”

Koi Perich Scouting Summary

Perich is the No. 53 overall prospect in the 2024 On300 rankings and has also been tabbed as the nation’s No. 3 safety recruit.

On3’s Scouting and Rankings team writes this about his a prospect:

“Hyper-athletic, physical safety with a penchant for making big plays. Looks like one of the nation’s best at the position midway through his senior season. Has unverified size and is listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. Registers as a top athlete, posting an elite 10.89 second mark in the 100 meters as a junior along with a very strong 42-6 foot triple jump. A truly dominant high school football player who regularly makes big plays in all three phases. A game-changer at safety, showing the ability to make plays on the ball in coverage. Plays with high-level instincts and ball skills. Shows deep range and a quick break on the ball in defending underneath routes. Triggers quickly against the run. Top-end speed shows up in his ability to close.

… A physical player who plays with an attitude and edge. Explodes into ball carriers, flashing significant striking power. Effective as a blitzer and flies off the edge to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Doubles as a very productive running back, using his athleticism and speed to rip off long runs with regularity. Also makes plays in special teams as a return man. Adds to his sterling athletic profile as a three-sport athlete as a prolific high school basketball player. Shows above-the-rim bounce on the hardwood with the ability to throw down impressive dunks. Does not play top competition and typically the only FBS prospect on the field on Friday nights. Will need to adjust to the significant uptick in competition at the college level, but has a number of positive indicators that point to a high long-term upside.”