The Athletic puts PJ Fleck’s rising defensive star among Big Ten’s best | Sporting News

The Minnesota Gophers and head coach PJ Fleck have a knack for discovering talent, especially in-state.

That continued last season when a true freshman emerged and quickly became a cornerstone of the program.

Turns out, it wasnt just the Gophers who noticed.

In its latest ranking of the top 25 players in the Big Ten, The Athleticyes, the same outlet that used to be part of The New York Timesslotted Perich inside the top 10.

He came in at No.

10 overall, earning serious national recognition after just one year on campus.

And heres the kicker? He did it as a true freshman.

Perich didnt just flash potential.

He proved he belonged from day one, establishing himself not only as a cornerstone for Minnesotas defense but as one of the top safeties in all of college football.

His play earned rave reviews from The Athletic: Perich joined Jeremiah Smith as the only two freshmen to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2024, The Athletic wrote.

He started only three games in 2024 but still finished with 46 tackles and five interceptions.

Perich was also a key contributor on special teams, becoming the first freshman since 1976 to record 100 punt return yards, 100 kick return yards and five interceptions in a season.

Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Perich stands out because he can do it all.

Whether its shutting down deep throws or making key plays on special teams, hes always making a difference.

And even though hes fresh out of high school, he carries himself with the steady confidence of a seasoned player.

For Minnesota, the best is yet to come.

With a full offseason under his belt and a larger role on the horizon, Perich enters 2025 as one of the most dangerous young defenders in the country and the kind of talent Fleck can build an entire defense around.

If year one was any indication, the Gophers didnt just find a future star they might have landed the next face of their program..

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