Gophers football: P.J. Fleck addresses Koi Perich’s transfer to Oregon

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

The Gophers football program boasts a retention rate ranked in the top 10 in the nation, but Minnesota lost one its most recognizable and talented players to the NCAA transfer portal in January.

Minnesota slotted seventh among all 138 FBS programs in returning production (68%) from 2025 to ’26, according to ESPN on Monday. But rising junior safety, kick/punt returner and part-time receiver Koi Perich garnered much attention when he left for Oregon.

“I know I get asked in the media about maybe the one person that everybody knows or one person a year (who leaves), but we are also retaining a massive amount of elite players who can still go anywhere in the country,” head coach P.J. Fleck said Monday as the U starts spring practice Tuesday. “We are going to focus on those guys and keep doing what we are doing and learn from every reason why people go.”

Minnesota’s offense retains 71%, which is 10th best in the nation, while the U’s defense keeps 65%, slotting 12th in the country. Fleck pointed to defensive end Anthony Smith, linebacker Maverick Baranowski, running back Darius Taylor and quarterback Drake Lindsey as key players who chose to stay at Minnesota over transferring to other schools or testing out the NFL.

Perich had a sophomore slump in 2025, but the Esko, Minn., native was considered the top-available safety in the portal. He officially left the U when the portal opened Jan. 2 and visited Texas Tech before he committed to Oregon 10 days later.

“He did so much for our program and really appreciate what he did,” Fleck said. “Wish him all the best in the future.”

Perich’s move to Eugene, Ore., including a clearer path to play for a College Football Playoff contender. Oregon has made it into the 12-team field the past two seasons. Perich also received a larger compensation package (revenue sharing and NIL) to go from Minnesota to Oregon.

On learning from players who exit, Fleck said: “Some of that is out of our control.”

While Minnesota has kept a lot of its players since the transfer portal ramped up in recent years, a key defection the previous cycle had a ripple effect into the 2025 season.

Offensive tackle Phillip Daniels left Minnesota for Ohio State a year ago. The Cincinnati native with family ties to the Buckeyes started at right tackle in Columbus. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s offensive line relied on other O-line transfers who underwhelmed last fall.

“There is no program in America that is immune to transfers (leaving),” Fleck said. “We just brought in 36 new players — high school or in the portal.”

With Perich gone, the Gophers brought in two new safeties via the portal: Mekai Smith (from FCS-level Lehigh) and Parker Knutson (from Division II Southwest Minnesota State).

Gophers defensive coordinator and safeties coach Danny Collins first looked at returning players from last year’s roster for how the U will move on after Perich.

Kerry Brown had a much better season than Perich in 2025 and came back for his redshirt junior year. The Florida native was fourth on the team with 56 tackles as well as four pass breakups and two interceptions.

Brown had a better overall grade from Pro Football Focus than Perich (69.9 to 61.0). Brown also had better marks than Perich in run defense, tackling and coverage, and pass rush, per PFF.

Collins said the U will employ Brown’s versatility to play both strong and free safety as well as nickel and dime back. Collins noted Aiden Gousby’s experience and how he is a “wild card” to play either safety or cornerback.

Fleck has praised the emergence of sophomore safety Zach Harden, making it a point to introduce him to former Gopher and current New York Giants safety Tyler Nubin at the U’s Pro Day last week. Harden looks the part, listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds; he got a taste in 11 games last season, primarily on special teams.

Collins said Harden was in the U’s football facility at 8:30 p.m. Sunday night, drawing Xs and Os on a white board and texting Collins questions.

“The amount of care that he has shown. … I’m excited for him to take the next step,” Collins said. “… I’m super excited about that safety room.”

Briefly

The Gophers have hired former Alabama head coach Mike Shula as a “senior offensive assistant.” ESPN first reported it Sunday. Shula was the Crimson Tide head coach from 2003-06 and has an extensive NFL resume before and after that stint in the Southeastern Conference. He was South Carolina’s offensive coordinator last season. … Fleck didn’t share specifics but said some players had injuries that needed “clean up” and will be rested during spring practice, and others will be out for a little while. Senior guard Greg Johnson was seen in a protective boot at the U Pro Day and appears to be in that group. … The U’s spring game is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, at Huntington Bank Stadium.

Related Articles

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos