Fleck on Perich: “we knew during the season that he was leaving”; says he received a $2 million package to join the hugely-funded Ducks

[BleedGopher]

Per Tanick:

Fleck said that “every player on the team” has a contract, renewable or terminable each year, and most of them have agents as well. This fluidity is unlike the past when most recruited players were guaranteed four- or five-year scholarships, but now can be dismissed or voluntarily leave after a single year. But, Fleck said, the team has only lost two key players exiting through the portal in the last few years, running back Bucky Irving, who went to Oregon and now is playing in the NFL, and this year Koi Perich, the all-purpose, safety, kick returner, and occasional receiver, who also is going to Oregon. Fleck let on that “we knew during the season that he was leaving” at the end of it, and he stated that the Esko, Minnesota native had received a $2 million package to join the hugely-funded Ducks, a large number, but dwarfed by many other players in high demand these days. He assured the crowd that “the guys behind [Perich] are exceptional.”

‘U’ Officials Discuss Hot Topics With Minnesotans in Sunny Florida | Minneapolis Times

minneapolistimes.com

Go Gophers!!

 

[LesBolstad]

Helps explain the season he had. I'll give him credit for playing in the bowl game

 

[4four4]

You have to take the money, as an education isn't as important anymore.

 

[Some guy]

Helps explain the season he had. I'll give him credit for playing in the bowl game

I am not sure I’d give him credit until I know what he would’ve lost monetarily to opt out

 

[Spaulding!No!]

Every sport in college will have a point in the season where effort becomes not important. Bball is rt now at that point. ‘Yeah , I’m not feeling great, Coach’. This is end of the end for what we knew as college sport

 

[Sparlimb]

You have to take the money, as an education isn't as important anymore.

I'd argue he has to take the money now because there is no guarantees in the NFL. The kid we saw this year wasn't a lock. So better get that 5-6 million nest egg saved before starting the rest of his life.

 

[upnorthkid]

College sports is so dumb right now

 

[btowngopher]

I am not sure I’d give him credit until I know what he would’ve lost monetarily to opt out

Maybe had the bowl game in his contract.

 

[WinMinGophers!]

I thank him for coming to the University of Minnesota. No way should he take a huge haircut to stay here. Yea, if they were in a similar range but have to go for significantly more. Best of luck, thanks for letting us fans have you while we did.

 

[boozer]

fleck saying we’ve only lost 2 key players is rich. beanie bishop, flip dixon, philip daniels, austin booker, etc. all would have been big helps on one way or another.

 

[Panthadad2]

I'd argue he has to take the money now because there is no guarantees in the NFL. The kid we saw this year wasn't a lock. So better get that 5-6 million nest egg saved before starting the rest of his life.

My thoughts as well. He'll be battling multiple players more highly rated than him so good luck. Hopefully the competition squeezes the shitbird out of him.

 

[Gopherchase]

fleck saying we’ve only lost 2 key players is rich. beanie bishop, flip dixon, philip daniels, austin booker, etc. all would have been big helps on one way or another.

Both before and after portal PJ is in the plus category on transfers. Hope we hit on some this year after a down year last.

 

[BTChamp]

I thank him for coming to the University of Minnesota. No way should he take a huge haircut to stay here. Yea, if they were in a similar range but have to go for significantly more. Best of luck, thanks for letting us fans have you while we did.

I don't think anyone asked him to shave his head.......

 

[MNVCGUY]

Well there you go for all of you that were demanding a statement about Perich.

Actually a little surprised they featured him in the bowl game the way they did if they knew he was leaving. Would have made him ride the bench or just play D.

 

[60's Guy]

I'd argue he has to take the money now because there is no guarantees in the NFL. The kid we saw this year wasn't a lock. So better get that 5-6 million nest egg saved before starting the rest of his life.

Yup, unless he is assured he's going in round 1...it makes sense to play his senior year at Oregon.
With $6 million invested properly he doesn't ever have to work once he leaves school and can live in a gated community for the rest of his life. No brainer to go to Oregon.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

College sports is so dumb right now

It’s really no different than any other large business

 

[Panthadad2]

Yup, unless he is assured he's going in round 1...it makes sense to play his senior year at Oregon.
With $6 million invested properly he doesn't ever have to work once he leaves school and can live in a gated community for the rest of his life. No brainer to go to Oregon.

It's still a gamble. He starts at MN no matter what and likely goes to the NFL (like several other Gophers before him) where the real money is. It's not a sure thing he's even a starter at Oregon by the time the incoming 5-star and high 4-star safeties get their feet wet not to mention current experienced players. If he doesn't have a highlight reel year in 2026, Perich will be on to his 3rd school.

 

[GooningGopher]

Well there you go for all of you that were demanding a statement about Perich.

Actually a little surprised they featured him in the bowl game the way they did if they knew he was leaving. Would have made him ride the bench or just play D.

I could not imagien PJ risking the bowl winning streak over something like this

 

[60's Guy]

It's still a gamble. He starts at MN no matter what and likely goes to the NFL (like several other Gophers before him) where the real money is. It's not a sure thing he's even a starter at Oregon by the time the incoming 5-star and high 4-star safeties get their feet wet not to mention current experienced players. If he doesn't have a highlight reel year in 2026, Perich will be on to his 3rd school.

All possible but I think the percentages are he gets a 4th year at Oregon if he is smart enough to take it. Koi is talented and competitive...he'll step up his game.

 

[TNGophfan]

I

Per Tanick:

Fleck said that “every player on the team” has a contract, renewable or terminable each year, and most of them have agents as well. This fluidity is unlike the past when most recruited players were guaranteed four- or five-year scholarships, but now can be dismissed or voluntarily leave after a single year. But, Fleck said, the team has only lost two key players exiting through the portal in the last few years, running back Bucky Irving, who went to Oregon and now is playing in the NFL, and this year Koi Perich, the all-purpose, safety, kick returner, and occasional receiver, who also is going to Oregon. Fleck let on that “we knew during the season that he was leaving” at the end of it, and he stated that the Esko, Minnesota native had received a $2 million package to join the hugely-funded Ducks, a large number, but dwarfed by many other players in high demand these days. He assured the crowd that “the guys behind [Perich] are exceptional.”

‘U’ Officials Discuss Hot Topics With Minnesotans in Sunny Florida | Minneapolis Times

minneapolistimes.com

Go Gophers!!

Would add Daniel's to that list.

 

[Eastside Forever]

You have to take the money, as an education isn't as important anymore.

Not all about $$$$$$

 

[Goldmember]

Remember back when about half this board was claiming that Bucky Irving didn’t leave the program to chase more money?

 

[Some guy]

Remember back when about half this board was claiming that Bucky Irving didn’t leave the program to chase more money?

I do not remember that
I remember almost everyone knew he was going to Oregon for money

 

[gopherbadgerman]

I do not remember that
I remember almost everyone knew he was going to Oregon for money

Lots of people said that. Fleck haters said it was because of his nickname. Some of the program apologists insisted it was because Mo was coming back. There was lots of speculation on it.

I bet we could find some old posts...

 

[MNVCGUY]

Not all about $$$$$$

True but if Oregon was really willing to pay him 2 million I can totally understand why he would take it.

With their Nike money, Oregon can overpay for players.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

True but if Oregon was really willing to pay him 2 million I can totally understand why he would take it.

With their Nike money, Oregon can overpay for players.

Totally agree. Even if the rumors MN was paying him $1M, that is a huge jump in pay, hard to say no to that.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

Every sport in college will have a point in the season where effort becomes not important. Bball is rt now at that point. ‘Yeah , I’m not feeling great, Coach’. This is end of the end for what we knew as college sport

Well once people quit watching and the tv money dries up...that's about all we can hope for.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

Well once people quit watching and the tv money dries up...that's about all we can hope for.

Agree that is about the only way it ends.

 

[GopherTheJugular]

I do not remember that
I remember almost everyone knew he was going to Oregon for money

Me too. He or someone close to him, even said something about how it was about taking care of his mom because they lived somewhere poor, in Chicago I think?

 

[Some guy]

Lots of people said that. Fleck haters said it was because of his nickname. Some of the program apologists insisted it was because Mo was coming back. There was lots of speculation on it.

I bet we could find some old posts...

Were people saying it’s because of the nickname serious?

I suppose Mo may have been a deal.
But the Mo coming back thing to me is also a money thing.