Hometown Star Wants a Piece of the Vikings
If you want the Minnesota Vikings to have a plan at safety for the long term, the University of Minnesota knows a guy.
One Minnesota Golden Gophers defender openly shared his lifelong dream to suit up for the Minnesota Vikings — and he wasn’t shy about manifesting it this week.
Koi Perich will embark on his sophomore season this fall as a Golden Gopher, and if he plays his cards right, he might just end up with the Vikings.
KSTP caught up with Perich this week, and he bluntly revealed that he wants to stay in Minnesota when his NFL career gets underway in 2027 or 2028.
Gophers Safety Koi Perich Calls His Shot
He’d skip college altogether if the system allowed it.
Koi Perich Wants the Vikings
Put plainly, Perich wants the Vikings. End of story. It’s his dream.
He told KSTP on Wednesday, “My dream was to play for the Vikings. I would just skip through college if I could and just gone straight to the Vikings, but … ya gotta do your three years.”
It doesn’t get much more clear-cut than that. Sign the man up.
Perich’s Scouting Report
Here’s how scout Charles Power of Rivals detailed Perich a couple of years ago: “Hyper-athletic, physical safety with a penchant for making big plays. Looks like one of the nation’s best at the position midway through his senior season. Has unverified size and is listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds. Registers as a top athlete, posting an elite 10.89 second mark in the 100 meters as a junior along with a very strong 42-6 foot triple jump.”
“A truly dominant high school football player who regularly makes big plays in all three phases. A game-changer at safety, showing the ability to make plays on the ball in coverage. Plays with high-level instincts and ball skills. Shows deep range and a quick break on the ball in defending underneath routes. Triggers quickly against the run. Top-end speed shows up in his ability to close. A physical player who plays with an attitude and edge. Explodes into ball carriers, flashing significant striking power.”
Perich’s scouting report will change over the next couple of seasons with the Gophers, but the early signs are there.
Power continued, “Effective as a blitzer and flies off the edge to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Doubles as a very productive running back, using his athleticism and speed to rip off long runs with regularity. Also makes plays in special teams as a return man. Adds to his sterling athletic profile as a three-sport athlete as a prolific high school basketball player. Shows above-the-rim bounce on the hardwood with the ability to throw down impressive dunks.”
“Does not play top competition and typically the only FBS prospect on the field on Friday nights. Will need to adjust to the significant uptick in competition at the college level, but has a number of positive indicators that point to a high long-term upside.”
A Safety Need Before Too Long
The Vikings lost Camryn Bynum to free agency four months ago — he signed with the Indianapolis Colts for $60 million over the next four years — and promoted reserve safety Theo Jackson to a starter’s job.
Minnesota also employs Josh Metellus, so in 2025, the group is set: Harrison Smith, Metellus, Jackson, and third-year safety Jay Ward.
For the long haul, however, Kevin O’Connell’s team could use another safety, making Perich’s comments all the more intriguing. Perich logged a fantastic 88.9 Pro Football Focus grade as a freshman in 2024. He’ll be a hot commodity in 2027 or 2028 if that mark is maintained.
Harrison Smith Retirement Tour
Smith is 36. He’ll turn 37 next February. Any game or season could be Smith’s last, and because the man is so beloved and cherished by fans, his departure will sock everyone in the gut.
The timelines don’t necessarily add up — unless Smith somehow plays through the end of the 2026 campaign — but swapping Smith with Perich could be just what the doctor ordered for the Smith replacement plan. Perich would have big shoes to fill, but such is life.
Get Your 2027 Mock Draftboards Ready
It’s nearly impossible to predict what draft needs the Vikings will have in 2027, but if forced to predict, safety would be a reasonable bet.
Smith could be — probably will be — gone by the 2027 NFL Draft, and Metellus will be approaching age 30. Adding Perich, who will be 21 by the time he’s draft eligible, would be magnificent if his current college trajectory continues.
And not for nothing, drafting a Perich, an Elko native, just feels like something general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would pull off for the Harrison Smith afterlife.
Thanks to his comments, Perich is now firmly on Vikings fans’ radar. Something to look forward to in a couple of years. The man called his shot.
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