Two key players from the Gophers football team announced on Friday that they plan to return for the 2025 season. Running back Darius Taylor and safety Koi Perich — among the University of Minnesota’s most sought-after athletes by other programs through the NCAA transfer portal — declared on X that they “are not going anywhere.” […]
Two key players from the Gophers football team announced on Friday that they plan to return for the 2025 season.
Running back Darius Taylor and safety Koi Perich — among the University of Minnesota’s most sought-after athletes by other programs through the NCAA transfer portal — declared on X that they “are not going anywhere.”
Both athletes leveraged their social media presence to rally Gophers supporters to back them and their fellow teammates through NIL (name, image and likeness) deals with the Roy App.
After an outstanding freshman year, Perich earned first team all-Big Ten honors from coaches and media across the conference. He ranked third nationally with five interceptions this year. The Esko, Minnesota, native accumulated 42 total tackles, putting him sixth on the team, including two for a loss.
He also explored offensive roles as a receiver and running back, though he did not have any recorded carries or catches.
Following his sophomore season last autumn, Taylor received all-Big Ten honorable mention. The Detroit native topped Minnesota with 1,206 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns over 11 games. He ran for 873 yards and nine touchdowns on 185 carries, while also contributing 50 receptions for 333 yards and two additional scores.
Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck mentioned to the Pioneer Press two weeks ago that he felt “really good” about the ability to retain players for next year’s squad, and keeping Perich and Taylor is a significant part of that effort.
Perich will enter his sophomore year next fall, while Taylor will be a junior.
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