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When looking at where he wanted his next home to be after starring all over the field for his hometown Minnesota Golden Gophers, safety Koi Perich had a few boxes to check when looking through his options.
The first was to join a team that perennially contends at the highest level, which ultimately was the biggest reason that Perich chose to transfer to Oregon football over the offseason and fill a crucial need at safety with the departure of Dillon Thieneman.
"Oregon has been to College Football Playoff every year, so they are obviously a winning program," Perich said. "Dillon, he's going to be a first-round pick. Just hoping to do what he did. Just do it in my version."
One of the other boxes Perich needed his next program to check was one that would put him outside of his comfort zone.
Perich grew up in Esko, Minnesota, a small town near Duluth, and was a standout for the Gophers just a few hours away from home for two seasons before entering the transfer portal and committing to Oregon.
The chance to live farther from home, get pushed by a new coaching staff and develop in a new environment was enticing to the junior defensive back.
"Coming from a super small town, you just got to work hard just to even get your name out there," Perich said. "Just coming in each and every day with the mindset that you need to get better and just keep on working."
The junior safety said he'd do anything new defensive coordinator Chris Hampton and head coach Dan Lanning wanted him to when asked about his versatility.
Perich primarily played on defense for the Gophers but was also an accomplished returner and played offensive snaps in a gadget-type role.
Though Perich wouldn't comment on if he'd continue to work with the offense or feature as a returner, he stressed over and over that he'd do anything the coaches asked him to.
Still, he said playing on defense is his preference.
"That’s what I want to do," Perich said. "I think defense is the best side of the game, you get to hit people. That’s what I want to do and obviously special teams is a part of that."
Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football and women’s basketball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Koi Perich on why he transferred to Oregon football
Continue reading...
The first was to join a team that perennially contends at the highest level, which ultimately was the biggest reason that Perich chose to transfer to Oregon football over the offseason and fill a crucial need at safety with the departure of Dillon Thieneman.
"Oregon has been to College Football Playoff every year, so they are obviously a winning program," Perich said. "Dillon, he's going to be a first-round pick. Just hoping to do what he did. Just do it in my version."
One of the other boxes Perich needed his next program to check was one that would put him outside of his comfort zone.
Perich grew up in Esko, Minnesota, a small town near Duluth, and was a standout for the Gophers just a few hours away from home for two seasons before entering the transfer portal and committing to Oregon.
The chance to live farther from home, get pushed by a new coaching staff and develop in a new environment was enticing to the junior defensive back.
"Coming from a super small town, you just got to work hard just to even get your name out there," Perich said. "Just coming in each and every day with the mindset that you need to get better and just keep on working."
The junior safety said he'd do anything new defensive coordinator Chris Hampton and head coach Dan Lanning wanted him to when asked about his versatility.
Perich primarily played on defense for the Gophers but was also an accomplished returner and played offensive snaps in a gadget-type role.
Though Perich wouldn't comment on if he'd continue to work with the offense or feature as a returner, he stressed over and over that he'd do anything the coaches asked him to.
Still, he said playing on defense is his preference.
"That’s what I want to do," Perich said. "I think defense is the best side of the game, you get to hit people. That’s what I want to do and obviously special teams is a part of that."
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Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football and women’s basketball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Koi Perich on why he transferred to Oregon football
Continue reading...
