Oregon safety Koi Perich is starting to pile up preseason recognition, and the latest nod points to just how much he can do for the Ducks.
Perich was added Monday to the Hornung Award watch list, putting him in the conversation for the honor given to the nation’s most versatile player. He was one of 39 players on the preseason list, and while the group is heavily tilted toward wide receivers and running backs, Perich is among just five non-offensive skill players included.
That fits the profile he built at Minnesota. The transfer made his name with the Gophers as a player who could line up at safety, take snaps at wide receiver and handle a range of return duties. He has already said he will not play offense at Oregon, but he could still factor into special teams.
Perich already sits on the Nagurski Trophy watch list as well, underscoring the expectation that he’ll be one of the country’s top defensive backs. He has also been named a Big Ten Preseason all-conference player after earning first-team all-conference honors in 2024 and second-team recognition the year before.
His 2025 production with Minnesota showed why he drew so much attention: 82 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, plus seven catches for 89 yards. He also handled both kickoffs and punts, returning 19 kickoffs and 18 punts as the Gophers’ primary return man.
Oregon is set to return to practice this week, with media availability scheduled after sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The Ducks’ first scrimmage is slated for Aug. 15.
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