Koi Perich Takes in Iowa Junior Day

Minnesota Defender Building Relationship with Hawkeyes

'24 Esko (MN) High S Koi Perich on Nov. 25, 2022 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. (Rob Howe/HawkeyeNation.com)

Koi Perich enjoyed his Iowa Football game-day visit back in the Fall. It led to him coming back to campus for the program's junior day on Sunday. 

The Hawkeyes offered the Esko (MN) High safety when he attended the Nebraska game on Nov. 25. He enjoyed that stop as well as the closer look he received this past weekend. 

"Talking with (Iowa defensive coordinator and secondary coach) Phil Parker and getting to learn the defense stood out to me on this visit. I was able to see how the safeties are used in the defense," Perich said.  

Perich (6-1, 185) welcomes the honesty of the Hawkeye staff. 

"I like the coaches because they are real and tell you straight up you're either gonna like it here or you won't. I appreciate that," he said.

Perich also reports scholarship offers from Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, Vanderbilt, Washington and Wisconsin. Notre Dame, Iowa State and others are showing interest in him. 

The Hawkeyes have positioned themselves well with an early offer and having him on campus twice.  

"Their defense is always tops in the country, and they are also really good. Iowa is awesome. I like it up there, the facilities and coaching staff," he said.

Perich turned heads with a tremendous junior season. He carried the ball 60 times for 813 yards and 11 touchdowns and also caught 17 passes for 353 yards and nine scores.  He recorded 75 tackles, 3 interceptions, four forced fumbles and two sacks on defense, and added 451 yards on punt and kick returns with five TDs. 

247Sports ranks him as the 40 safety nationally in the '24 Class and the second-best player overall in Minnesota for the cycle. Rivals sees him as a three-star and the No. 5 overall player in his state. 

Perich plans on getting out to more campuses this spring and summer as he heads toward his final season of high school. 

"I’m going to see if I’m going head down to Ohio state and Michigan; maybe Wisconsin and Minnesota, too," he said. 

You can watch Perich's junior highlights HERE.