Koi Perich transferred to Oregon Ducks football to join a winning program that consistently competes at a high level. His decision was influenced by the need for a safety position following Dillon Thieneman's departure.
Key points
Koi Perich transferred from Minnesota Golden Gophers
He chose Oregon Ducks for their winning program
Perich aims to fill the safety position left by Dillon Thieneman
Oregon has consistently reached the College Football Playoff
Oregon DucksMinnesota Golden GophersKoi PerichDillon Thieneman
When looking at where he wanted his next home to be after starring all over the field for his hometown Minnesota Golden Gophers, safety Koi Perich had a few boxes to check when looking through his options.
The first was to join a team that perennially contends at the highest level, which ultimately was the biggest reason that Perich chose to transfer to Oregon football over the offseason and fill a crucial need at safety with the departure of Dillon Thieneman.
"Oregon has been to College Football Playoff every year, so they are obviously a winning program," Perich said. "Dillon, he's going to be a first-round pick. Just hoping to do what he did. Just do it in my version."
Oregon’s Cal Scolari pitches against Nebraska during the first inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Nebraska’s Case Sanderson, center, celebrates his first-inning homer against Oregon with teammates at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon’s Cal Scolari, center, celebrates the end of the first inning against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Q&A
Why did Koi Perich choose to transfer to Oregon Ducks football?
Koi Perich chose Oregon Ducks football to join a winning program that competes at the highest level, filling a crucial safety need.
What position does Koi Perich play for Oregon Ducks?
Koi Perich plays as a safety for the Oregon Ducks football team.
Who did Koi Perich replace on the Oregon Ducks football team?
Koi Perich replaced Dillon Thieneman, who is expected to be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.
What achievements does Oregon Ducks football have that influenced Perich's decision?
Oregon Ducks football has been to the College Football Playoff every year, showcasing their status as a winning program.
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Nebraska’s Cooper Katskee pitches against Oregon during the first inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon’s Angel Laya watches his home run go over the fence during the second inning against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon’s Angel Laya, right, celebrates his second-inning homer with Brayden Jaksa, left, against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Nebraska’s Mac Moyer makes the catch to take a homer from Oregon’s Burke-Lee Mabeus at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Nebraska’s Mac Moyer, left, slides home ahead of the tag by Oregon catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus during the third inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon second baseman Ryan Cooney gloves a ball against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon’s Tanner Bradley pitches against Nebraska during the fourth inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon’s Maddox Molony scores the go-ahead run against Nebraska in the sixth inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon’s Angel Laya, left, celebrates his second home run of the game with Burke-Lee Mabeus during the game against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon’s Burke-Lee Mabeus, left, is run down between third and home by Nebraska’s Joshua Overbeek at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon plays Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Nebraska’s Rhett Stokes upends
Ryan Cooney on the front end of a double play at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
The umpire jumps in between Nebraska’s Rhett Stokes and the Oregon infield after a play at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon pitcher Miles Gosztola throws against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon’s Maddox Molony, left, reaches for the tag after Nebraska’s Rhett Stokes hit a double in the ninth inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
Oregon pitcher Devin Bell, center, celebrates with teammates after closing out the game against Nebraska for the win at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
The Oregon baseball team celebrates with fans after winning the final game of the series against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon’s Cal Scolari pitches against Nebraska during the first inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon’s Cal Scolari pitches against Nebraska during the first inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Nebraska’s Case Sanderson, center, celebrates his first-inning homer against Oregon with teammates at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon’s Cal Scolari, center, celebrates the end of the first inning against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Nebraska’s Cooper Katskee pitches against Oregon during the first inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon’s Angel Laya watches his home run go over the fence during the second inning against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon’s Angel Laya, right, celebrates his second-inning homer with Brayden Jaksa, left, against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Nebraska’s Mac Moyer makes the catch to take a homer from Oregon’s Burke-Lee Mabeus at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Nebraska’s Mac Moyer, left, slides home ahead of the tag by Oregon catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus during the third inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon second baseman Ryan Cooney gloves a ball against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon’s Tanner Bradley pitches against Nebraska during the fourth inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon’s Maddox Molony scores the go-ahead run against Nebraska in the sixth inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon’s Angel Laya, left, celebrates his second home run of the game with Burke-Lee Mabeus during the game against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon’s Burke-Lee Mabeus, left, is run down between third and home by Nebraska’s Joshua Overbeek at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon plays Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Nebraska’s Rhett Stokes upends
Ryan Cooney on the front end of a double play at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
The umpire jumps in between Nebraska’s Rhett Stokes and the Oregon infield after a play at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon pitcher Miles Gosztola throws against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon’s Maddox Molony, left, reaches for the tag after Nebraska’s Rhett Stokes hit a double in the ninth inning at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
Oregon pitcher Devin Bell, center, celebrates with teammates after closing out the game against Nebraska for the win at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
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See photos as Oregon baseball hosts Nebraska at PK Park
The Oregon baseball team celebrates with fans after winning the final game of the series against Nebraska at PK Park in Eugene April 12, 2026.
One of the other boxes Perich needed his next program to check was one that would put him outside of his comfort zone.
Perich grew up in Esko, Minnesota, a small town near Duluth, and was a standout for the Gophers just a few hours away from home for two seasons before entering the transfer portal and committing to Oregon.
The chance to live farther from home, get pushed by a new coaching staff and develop in a new environment was enticing to the junior defensive back.
"Coming from a super small town, you just got to work hard just to even get your name out there," Perich said. "Just coming in each and every day with the mindset that you need to get better and just keep on working."
The junior safety said he'd do anything new defensive coordinator Chris Hampton and head coach Dan Lanning wanted him to when asked about his versatility.
Perich primarily played on defense for the Gophers but was also an accomplished returner and played offensive snaps in a gadget-type role.
Though Perich wouldn't comment on if he'd continue to work with the offense or feature as a returner, he stressed over and over that he'd do anything the coaches asked him to.
Still, he said playing on defense is his preference.
"That’s what I want to do," Perich said. "I think defense is the best side of the game, you get to hit people. That’s what I want to do and obviously special teams is a part of that."
Koi Perich said he wanted to play for a winning program and get pushed out of his comfort zone when asked why he chose to transfer from Minnesota to Oregon.
Koi Perich said he wanted to play for a winning program and get pushed out of his comfort zone when asked why he chose to transfer from Minnesota to Oregon.
Alec Dietz covers University of Oregon football and women’s basketball for The Register-Guard. You may reach him atadietz@registerguard.com.
