Minnesota Gophers could use Koi Perich on offense…?

PJ Fleck's Gophers have had a difficult start to the season and sit with a disappointing record of 2-3. To make matters worse, the road ahead of us isn't exactly smooth. After a heartbreaking loss to Michigan, Fleck may be thinking about making some small changes. Maybe he'll give one of his playmakers another chance in hopes of making an impact on offense.

Maybe you know Koi Perich, Esko's newcomer. Perich made the decision to stay close to home despite receiving offers from some of the top programs in the country.

His impact on the Minnesota Gophers has already been notable in just five games, particularly as an electrifying punt returner. With his speed and agility he has proven to be decisive in the game.

Does PJ Fleck want to use Koi Perich in the Minnesota Gophers offense?

During a recent press conference, Fleck expressed to reporters how dangerous Perich is with the ball in his hands. This prompted Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press to ask Fleck about the possibility of Perich getting some playing time on offense.

“You can call him a true freshman – nothing can intimidate him,” Gophers coach PJ Fleck said in his press conference Monday. “And he’s dangerous with the ball in his hands.”

So can Perich also play something on offense?

Fleck doesn't want to create any expectation that it will happen, but he told the Pioneer Press: “It's definitely a possibility. I wouldn’t think twice about it.”

Pioneer Press (reporting on Andy Greder)

It looks like Fleck is thinking about using Perich in a dual role role, similar to how Travis Hunter is used in Colorado. However, that could be a tall order for a true freshman who just joined the team in June and is still recovering from an injury. PJ seems wary of overwhelming Perich and potentially hindering his development as a player.

“I think if you overload someone who is really new, you can stunt their growth quicker. I think he's doing a really good job of getting a big chunk of it and playing at a high level right now. But there is always the possibility for more.”

Pioneer Press (reporting on Andy Greder)

Perich is still early in his career and as a true freshman, Coach Fleck is focused on encouraging his development without putting too much pressure on him. Perich is now making quite an impression in his current role. Last Saturday against Michigan, he had a standout moment with a significant punt return that helped bring the Gophers back into the game.

KOI PERICH CAN FLY

He gets a huge return on the punt @GopherFootball 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DS1HyAIyX8

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2024

Related: 4 bold predictions for the Minnesota Gophers' matchup against the USC Trojans

Koi Perich joined the Gophers as a safety and has already made an impact on the defense this season, logging 35 games and grabbing one interception. However, it's clear that head coach PJ Fleck is looking for ways to use him beyond just defense and now has the option to move him to offense. It will be exciting to see how Perich develops over the course of the season.

Mentioned in this article: Koi Perich PJ Fleck

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