Gophers star safety Koi Perich’s role on offense more than ‘a gadget’

The Gophers are turning Koi Perich into a two-way heck, a three-way player, and they are stitching it all together this spring.Lets start with the true sophomores practice jersey, which is half maroon (like all defensive players wear) and half white (like the offensive guys).

The Esko natives No.

3 is split vertically down the middle.Next have been the brief glimpses of the U safety taking an offensive snap here and there during two open-to-media practices over the last two weeks; the Gophers dont dig deep into its playbook during these sessions, but they have been cool with showing that.Hes too good of a football player not to be on the field somehow, someway, throughout the entire game, not just on one side, head coach P.J.

Fleck said Tuesday.

I think (offensive coordinator Greg) Harbaugh has done a really good job of giving him what he can handle, but whatever we give him, we want him to be really good at.As a true freshman, Perich primarily played safety, returned punts and kickoffs and cameod on offense, but didnt record a carry or a catch.

That will change in 2025.This isnt just a gadget thing, Fleck clarified.

Were not looking at him to be a gadget.

Hes going to be an athlete on this football team and make plays on every side of the ball, plus the return game.

Hes done a really good job of handling all of it.The practice jersey is an indication of their commitment.

It spawned from quarterback Drake Lindsey saying it was hard to see Perich when he was running routes over the middle of the field.

P.J.

Fleck came up with the idea, Perich said, and equipment manager Brady Gagnon made it happen.Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy playing both cornerback and wide receiver at Colorado last season.

At this point, its way too much to compare Perich to Hunter, a projected top NFL draft pick later this month, but the game-changing ability resides in Perich.Perichs five interceptions last season was tied for fourth in the nation; two of them sealed wins against Southern California and UCLA.

It led to him being named all-Big Ten first team.

On special teams, he averaged 9.4 yards per punt return, including a 60-yarder in the comeback attempt at Michigan, and put up 19.6 yards per kickoff return.It means a lot, Perich said about also playing on offense.

But that obviously comes with more work.

Every opportunity is not given, its earned.

So with that, you just gotta keep putting in more work and more work.

Thats what comes with it.Perichs offensive role this spring has been catching a periodic pass in the two open practices; one spotted in each session.

How much and where offensive coordinator Greg Harbaugh will use Perich will start to be reveled in season opener against Buffalo on Aug.

28 or more likely at California on Sept.

13 and the Big Ten opener versus Rutgers on Sept.

27.Harbaugh, of course, wasnt willing to detail what Perichs offensive role will be.

Hes a pretty good player, so I will work with him, he deadpanned.For Perich in 2025, it isnt just the grandiose idea of playing everywhere, its the granular details in being a safety.

Fleck said a point of emphasis for Perich will be a higher attention within fundamentals.I think when you play as a true freshman, youre kind of thrown in the fire and youre just making plays and youre running around, Fleck said in March at the start of spring practices.

Yes, youre within the scheme.

Yes, youre doing your assignment.

Youre doing it right, but are you doing it as efficiently as you possibly can?Perich, who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, has his own list of things he wants to improve: his man-to-man coverage skills and working on his releases from the line of scrimmage as a wide receiver.On Tuesday, Fleck noticed how Perich could improve his positioning and hand placement when taking on blocks and popped over to tell him how he should improve it.

These finer points can be more easily addressed in spring practices, something Perich didnt do as he finished up his senior year in northeastern Minnesota a year ago.Isnt that hard to believe: the kid got here in June? Fleck said.On top of defense and special teams at Esko, Perich played running back and reciever.

You just develop those ball skills, he said.

And I think those carry over for anything youre doing.And his role also appears to be growing on defense, with new defensive coordinator Danny Collins putting Perich in at nickel back.I just try to come in and put in more work each day and hopefully everybody can see that, Perich said about becoming a team leader.

And they can build off what Im doing, either if its in the weight room or on the field, and just work off my energy.

Thats what I try to do each and every day.Related ArticlesGophers football: New defensive coordinator Danny Collins wants HAVOCCharley Walters: Vikings backup definitely wont be RodgersGophers football nets commitment from lineman Gavin Meier over Badgers, othersWhat Niko Medved and P.J.

Fleck talked about during hiring processGophers football: Quarterback Drake Lindsey will need to earn starting spot.

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