The Sporting News has named Minnesota standouts Aireontae Ersery and Koi Perich All-Americans, as the duo were placed on the Second Team.
This is the third All-American honor for Ersery, who was also named the Big Ten Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year. Ersery was recognized as a Second-Team All-American by the FWAA and was a Third-Team All-American by the Associated Press.
The Sporting News All-American recognition is the first for Perich, who collected All-Big Ten honors on defense (First Team) and as a return specialist (Second Team).
Ersery is the second Minnesota offensive lineman to be named an All-American in the last three years, joining current New York Giants center John Michael Schmitz, who was a First-Team All-American in 2022.
Perich is the third Minnesota safety to be named an All-American since 2019, joining Antoine Winfield Jr. (2019) and Tyler Nubin (2023). He is also the first Minnesota freshman to be named an All-American since 1972 when the NCAA allowed freshman to play to college football.
Minnesota has now had seven players under head coach P.J. Fleck be named an All-American. Those seven players are Aireontae Ersery (2024), Koi Perich (2024), Tyler Nubin (2023), John Michael Schmitz (2022), Mohamed Ibrahim (2022, 2020), Rashod Bateman (2019) and Antoine Winfield Jr. (2019).
According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Ersery gave up just one sack and one quarterback hit in 398 opportunities during the 2024 season. He started all 12 games this year and has started the last 38 games of his Minnesota career at left tackle. Ersery has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2025 Reese’s Senior Bowl.
Perich is the top-ranked freshman in the nation by PFF and he is one of five finalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award by the Maxwell Football Club. The award is presented to the outstanding freshman player in college football.
The Esko, Minn., native has excelled on defense and on special teams for Minnesota. He has played in all 12 games for the Gophers this year and had 42 tackles (24 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a team-leading five interceptions. He has also returned 15 kickoffs for 298 yards and 17 punts for 173 yards. The dynamic freshman has even played a few snaps on offense this season.
(info and stock photo courtesy of Gopher Sports)
