Oregon's Koi Perich tops the list of transfer safeties entering 2026

The Oregon Ducks did it again this offseason, landing the commitment of the top-ranked safety in the transfer portal. Last year, it was Purdue's Dillon Thieneman, who spent just one season in Eugene and departed as a first-round pick.

This time around, it's Minnesota transfer Koi Perich, who had a standout freshman season before disappointing a bit as a sophomore in 2025. He entered the portal and promptly landed with the Ducks, replacing Thieneman with similar goals of turning himself into a first-round pick come 2027 or 2028.

It should be no surprise that Perich tops The Athletic's ranking of the top transfer safeties based on expected impact come this fall.

"He’s a versatile talent who was twice an all-conference safety, but he also returned kicks and punts and played receiver," Sam Khan Jr. wrote. "His sophomore season wasn’t quite as flashy as his freshman year when he hauled in five interceptions, but he’s a terrific athlete with speed, range and physicality as a tackler. Thieneman excelled in his lone year at Oregon and became a first-round pick. It wouldn’t be a shock if Perich were able to do the same."

While Perich didn't have as many highlight-reel worthy plays last season, he still managed to record 82 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, two passes defensed, an interception and a forced fumble. Expectations were sky high coming off his debut season that it overshadowed how good his sophomore season actually was.

Expectations are high once again, with Perich expected to fill the big shoes that Thieneman left behind. But if he can live up to what's expected of him, don't be surprised if Perich's name is announced on Day 1 of the 2027 NFL Draft.

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