Gophers DB Koi Perich named FWAA Freshman POY candidate
Koi Perich’s amazing freshman campaign has made his a candidate for another major award.
On Thursday, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) named the Minnesota Gophers defense back as one of 10 players on its Freshman Player of the Year award watch list. The FWAA gives an award each year to the top offensive and defensive freshman in college football, so Perich is one of five midseason candidates for the defensive award.
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The Esko native has become a crucial player for the Gophers, serving as Minnesota’s main kick and punt returner since Quentin Redding suffered a season-ending injury earlier this fall, in addition to his growing defensive responsibilities. It’s the latter where he’s truly excelled.
Perich has four interceptions this season — most among FBS freshmen and tied for the third-most in the entire country — and game-sealing picks in back-to-back weeks. His most recent interception made Gophers history and has helped firmly place him among the best first-year defenders in the country.
As his on-field heroics have continued, so too have the awards. In just the past few weeks, he’s been named the Thorpe Award National DB of the Week, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, the Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Week, and a member of the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll. Now, he's an FWAA Defensive Freshman of the Year candidate.
The FWAA Freshman All-American Team and Freshman Player of the Year are scheduled to be announced on Jan. 14. The other midseason candidates are below.
In the meantime, Perich and the Gophers ore set to host Maryland for homecoming this Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Oct 5, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Koi Perich (3) celebrates his interception during the second half against the USC Trojans at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
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