SAN ANTONIO - Minnesota signee Koi Perich has had a good week of practice in San Antonio. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound safety out of Esko, Minn., plays with passion. One of the things that comes up a lot during this week is that players have to adjust to the speed of the game. They are used to being the top dog at their high schools and they come to Texas and everyone is good.
That wasn’t necessarily the case for Perich.
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"It's not that bad. It's just getting confidence,” Perich said. “And just getting my football skills back. I haven't played football in two months so I'm just getting it back. It's honestly way less of an adjustment than I thought it would be."
The four-star defender was one of the hottest prospects in the region late in the cycle. Many programs tried to flip him from his Minnesota commitment and a couple got serious looks.
"Ohio State and Florida State came in. Obviously two of the top schools in the nation,” Perich said.
“Ohio State was ultimately my second decision. Because you can't go wrong with them. They've got really good coaches and they're a good staff. Everything about them was cool. But Minnesota, can't go wrong with them either."
Even though the Buckeyes and Seminoles attempted late pushes Perich signed with Minnesota. He’s happy to represent his home state and hope to do it well. In the end, staying home and his path to the NFL led him to sign with coach PJ Fleck.
"In the end it's just the NFL. That was my dream from day one. So Minnesota being the best spot I think can get me to the NFL. Hopefully I can get in, get in the competition and hopefully start day one. But obviously there is a lot of competition there too so I'll be ready to work hard."
