Minnesota defensive back Koi Perich was named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Paul Hornung Award.
The Paul Hornung Award is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission to the most versatile player in major college football.
This is the third preseason watch list that Perich is on, as he has also been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch. Perich has also been recognized as a preseason All-American by multiple outlets this summer.
Perich put himself in a spot to earn the preseason accolades thanks to a dynamic freshman season in the Maroon and Gold last year.
The Esko, Minn., native was named a Sporting News Second Team All-American to become the first Minnesota freshman to be named an All-American since 1972 when the NCAA allowed freshmen to play to college football. Perich was also placed on the 2024 Freshman All-America Team by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), earned a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team on defense and was All-Big Ten Second Team as a return specialist. He was also one of five national finalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.
Perich played in all 13 games for Minnesota last season and excelled on defense and special teams and even played a few snaps on offense. He finished fifth on the team with 46 tackles and had 2.5 tackles for loss. Perich led the Big Ten with five interceptions, setting a Minnesota freshman record in the process, and broke up three passes with one forced fumble. On special teams, he returned 16 kickoffs for 314 yards and 20 punts for 188 yards.
Koi Perich
Minnesota defensive lineman Anthony Smith was named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Wuerffel Trophy.
The Wuerffel Trophy is presented to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.
Smith has been active in the community through team-initiated volunteer opportunities and has also visited schools and helped Girl Scouts sell cookies.
Smith started three of the 13 games he played last season. He made 27 tackles and led the team with 11.5 tackles for loss and shared the team lead with six sacks. He also broke up one pass, forced one fumble and blocked one field goal.
In his career, he has played in 28 games and has made 43 tackles. Smith has 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three forced fumbles.
Anthony Smith
Minnesota starts the season on Aug. 28 when they host Buffalo at Huntington Bank Stadium.
