Ohio State named a school to watch for Big Ten star in transfer portal – and the Buckeyes have pushed hard for him before
Buckeye Nation will remember this name as a player Ohio State recruited before.
Once Ohio State’s season ended in the Cotton Bowl against Miami, much of the attention turned toward the transfer portal.
The Buckeyes have had several transfer portal entries over the last couple of days — and they’ve also started to target players in the portal. The latest player that Ohio State has been connected to is a familiar recruit of the past.
Ohio State is a team to watch for a major Big Ten defender
Ohio State recruited Minnesota S Koi Perich hard out of high school in the class of 2024 and finished runner-up to the Gophers. Perich hasn’t entered the portal officially yet, but that’s expected to change. Ohio State is a school to watch for Perich, according to CBS Sports’ Chris Hummer.
The Buckeyes tried to flip Perich from the Gophers before signing day in 2023, but couldn’t. Perich was the No. 5 safety and No. 70 overall player, per 247 Sports. As a true freshman, Perich made five interceptions, 46 tackles, and was a return specialist for Minnesota. This past season, Perich intercepted one pass, made 82 tackles, and had one sack.
Koi Perich’s career stats
- Combined tackles: 128
- Interceptions: 6
- Sacks: 1.0
- Pass breakups: 5
- Forced fumbles: 2
- Defensive TDs: 1
- Tackles for loss: 5.5
Ohio State has a clear need that Koi Perich can fulfill
The Buckeyes will lose Caleb Downs after the season, and bringing in a starter alongside Jaylen McClain makes a lot of sense. As it stands, freshman Faheem Delane and junior Malik Hartford are the players set to slide in beside McClain.
Perich would give the Buckeyes a player with star abilities and make it easier for life after Downs. Ohio State is set to lose at least six starters from its defense. Making a move for a player like Perich — who has shown big-time playing ability in the Big Ten — should be a move that the Buckeyes are willing to make.
It’s yet to be seen if talks or a visit will take place with Perich and the Buckeyes. Ohio State pushed hard for the 6-foot-1, 200-pound safety before; why wouldn’t they do it now, after he’s shown his capabilities at the college level?
Ohio State Buckeyes News
Ohio State football is wasting no time bringing in a productive transfer portal player for a visit to Columbus
The Buckeyes are already working the transfer portal with a visit lined up.
