Scouting Journals for Koi Perich

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.

Koi Perich built on a good week of practice with a dominant showing in Saturday’s game. The Gopher commit exploded on Saturday, making a ton of plays en route to being named the game’s MVP. Perich had a diving interception at the goal line in the first half, leaving his feet to fully extend for the pick. He later blocked a punt. Perich flew around the field all afternoon. The high-level athleticism, instincts, effort level and overall playmaking ability popped in a big way. Perich had another strong play in coverage in the second half with a pass breakup on a pass intended for Miami signee Ny Carr. We saw the Minnesota native make big plays in every phase. He triggered and closed quickly as a run defender and showed strong tackling chops. We saw him bring down Jeremiah Smith on a kick return as the first cover man down the field. An initial On3 outlier dating back to July, Perich has seen his stock continue to rise with a dominant senior season to go with a very strong athletic profile. PJ Fleck and the Gophers were able to hold onto his commitment, despite efforts from blue-blood programs down the stretch. If Saturday’s showing was any indication, he’s bound to make a big impact in Minnesota.