Travis Hunter was the latest two-way but not the only in college football.
Minnesota freshman Koi Perich is already drawing Hunter comparisons as he begins his career in the Big Ten, and head coach PJ Fleck isn’t shying away from the vision. Perich, a four-star safety out of Esko (Minn.), was recruited primarily for his defensive instincts—but his offensive potential is too explosive to ignore.
“We feel Koi can,” Fleck said when asked about Perich’s ability to play both sides of the ball. “There’s not a lot of people who can do that and do it successfully.”
The Gophers don’t plan to force the issue, but there’s a clear belief inside the program that Perich’s speed, IQ, and ball skills can be weaponized wherever he lines up. He dominated in high school on both sides and has already flashed early in camp, earning high praise for his playmaking instincts.
The blueprint is there. Hunter made headlines at Colorado even winning the Heisman by starting on both offense and defense and delivering in big moments. For Perich, the bar isn’t just about proving he can do it’s about showing he can impact winning while doing it.
If Fleck and his staff are right, Minnesota might have its own version of college football’s ultimate Swiss Army knife.
Koi Perich is chasing something rare. And if he pulls it off, he won’t just follow the Travis Hunter path, he’ll carve his own.
