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Perich Named Finalist for Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award
12/4/2024 9:02:00 AM | Football
All-Big Ten First Team defensive back is one of five finalists
University of Minnesota freshman defensive back Koi Perich was named a finalist today for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award by the Maxwell Football Club. The award is presented to the outstanding freshman player in college football and Perich is one of five finalists, joining Ryan Williams (Alabama, wide receiver), Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State, wide receiver), Dylan Stewart (South Carolina, edge) and Colin Simmons (Texas, edge).
Perich has excelled on defense and on special teams for Minnesota and was recently named All-Big Ten First Team as a defensive back and All-Big Ten Second Team as a return specialist.
He has played in all 12 games for the Gophers this year and has 42 tackles (24 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a team-leading five interceptions. His five interceptions are the most in the Big Ten and are tied for the third-most in the nation. He has also returned 15 kickoffs for 298 yards and 17 punts for 173 yards. The dynamic freshman has even played a few snaps on offense this season.
Perich is the top-ranked freshman in the nation by Pro Football Focus and is the team's top-ranked defensive player with a grade of 86.7. He is tied for 22nd among all defensive backs in the country and tied for 14th for FBS safeties. His grade is 12th overall in the Big Ten and second among Big Ten defensive backs and safeties.
Perich also leads Minnesota with a coverage grade of 88.5. That grade is tied for 30th best overall in the country and 17th among FBS safeties. He's third in the Big Ten overall and leads all league defensive backs with that grade.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be presented at the Maxwell Football Club Awards along with several of the other top awards in college and professional football. The award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. Past winners include; Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) 2019, Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) 2021, Drake Maye (North Carolina) 2022 and Caleb Downs (Alabama/Ohio State) 2023.
ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, the NFL Foundation, DCH Health Systems, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation, SRA Home Products, College Football Dawgs and the Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.
Perich has excelled on defense and on special teams for Minnesota and was recently named All-Big Ten First Team as a defensive back and All-Big Ten Second Team as a return specialist.
He has played in all 12 games for the Gophers this year and has 42 tackles (24 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a team-leading five interceptions. His five interceptions are the most in the Big Ten and are tied for the third-most in the nation. He has also returned 15 kickoffs for 298 yards and 17 punts for 173 yards. The dynamic freshman has even played a few snaps on offense this season.
Perich is the top-ranked freshman in the nation by Pro Football Focus and is the team's top-ranked defensive player with a grade of 86.7. He is tied for 22nd among all defensive backs in the country and tied for 14th for FBS safeties. His grade is 12th overall in the Big Ten and second among Big Ten defensive backs and safeties.
Perich also leads Minnesota with a coverage grade of 88.5. That grade is tied for 30th best overall in the country and 17th among FBS safeties. He's third in the Big Ten overall and leads all league defensive backs with that grade.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be presented at the Maxwell Football Club Awards along with several of the other top awards in college and professional football. The award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. Past winners include; Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) 2019, Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) 2021, Drake Maye (North Carolina) 2022 and Caleb Downs (Alabama/Ohio State) 2023.
ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, the NFL Foundation, DCH Health Systems, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation, SRA Home Products, College Football Dawgs and the Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.
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