MINNEAPOLIS — Koi Perich was once a sports-loving kid in northern Minnesota who grew determined at a young age to suit up for the home-state football team he so passionately supported.

Entering the season with enormous expectations after a propitious debut with the Gophers in 2024, naturally, must be quite the pinch-me experience for the second-year safety.

“No, I didn’t watch college football. My dream was to play for the Vikings,” said Perich, a second-team preseason AP All-America pick. “I would just skip through college if I could and just go straight to the Vikings. But you’ve got to do your three years, and I’m willing to do it.”

Perich smiled widely as he matter-of-factly spelled out his plan to declare for the NFL draft in 2027, a bold but predictable goal the Gophers will b

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