GopherLady
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Per press release from the U:
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota defensive back Koi Perich was named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List today by the Football Writers Association of America. The award is presented to the national defensive player of the year and there were 60 players on the list.
Perich, who has been named a preseason All-American by multiple outlets, is one of 14 Big Ten players on the list and is one of only eight safeties featured.
Perich put himself in a spot to earn the preseason accolade thanks to a dynamic freshman season in the Maroon and Gold last year.
The Esko, Minn., native was named a Sporting News Second Team All-American to become the first Minnesota freshman to be named an All-American since 1972 when the NCAA allowed freshmen to play to college football. Perich was also placed on the 2024 Freshman All-America Team by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), earned a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team on defense and was All-Big Ten Second Team as a return specialist. He was also one of five national finalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
Perich played in all 13 games for Minnesota last season and excelled on defense and special teams and even played a few snaps on offense. He finished fifth on the team with 46 tackles and had 2.5 tackles for loss. Perich led the Big Ten with five interceptions, setting a Minnesota freshman record in the process, and broke up three passes with one forced fumble. On special teams, he returned 16 kickoffs for 314 yards and 20 punts for 188 yards.
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Perich and Minnesota start the season on Aug. 28 when they host Buffalo at Huntington Bank Stadium.
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota defensive back Koi Perich was named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List today by the Football Writers Association of America. The award is presented to the national defensive player of the year and there were 60 players on the list.
Perich, who has been named a preseason All-American by multiple outlets, is one of 14 Big Ten players on the list and is one of only eight safeties featured.
Perich put himself in a spot to earn the preseason accolade thanks to a dynamic freshman season in the Maroon and Gold last year.
The Esko, Minn., native was named a Sporting News Second Team All-American to become the first Minnesota freshman to be named an All-American since 1972 when the NCAA allowed freshmen to play to college football. Perich was also placed on the 2024 Freshman All-America Team by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), earned a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team on defense and was All-Big Ten Second Team as a return specialist. He was also one of five national finalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
Perich played in all 13 games for Minnesota last season and excelled on defense and special teams and even played a few snaps on offense. He finished fifth on the team with 46 tackles and had 2.5 tackles for loss. Perich led the Big Ten with five interceptions, setting a Minnesota freshman record in the process, and broke up three passes with one forced fumble. On special teams, he returned 16 kickoffs for 314 yards and 20 punts for 188 yards.
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Perich and Minnesota start the season on Aug. 28 when they host Buffalo at Huntington Bank Stadium.
