Two standout football players from the Minnesota Golden Gophers are gaining national attention for their quick impact in college. Safeties Koi Perich and Kerry Brown were recognized as semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award by the Maxwell Football Club. Minnesota is the sole program with two players recognized as semifinalists for the award.
Perich, who hails from Esko, has not only thrived defensively but also on special teams, acting as the team’s main returner. Nonetheless, his heroism has emerged as a defender. He is tied for second in the nation with five interceptions, featuring two game-sealing picks in consecutive weeks versus USC and UCLA. Brown has been excellent as well, accumulating 43 tackles so far, which is the second-highest on the team. He has three tackles for loss and a duo of interceptions as well.
Similar to Perich, Brown has also contributed significantly for the Gophers, highlighted by an essential fourth-down stop last weekend versus Maryland. The finalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be disclosed on Dec. 4, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 26.
The full list of semifinalists is below.
S Koi Perich, Minnesota
S Kerry Brown, Minnesota
WR Ryan Williams, Alabama
OL Jordan Seaton, Colorado
S KJ Bolden, Georgia
RB Isaac Brown, Louisville
QB Dylan Raiola, Nebraska
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
OL Anthony Donkoh, Penn State
QB Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh
ED Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
QB Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee
ED Colin Simmons, Texas
LB Josiah Trotter, West Virginia
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