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3 days ago
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Koi Perich Leaving Gophers for Vikings ASAP
Koi Perich grew up in Esko, MN, a small town just outside of Duluth, that holds around 2,000 people. Because of a commitment he made to his high school track team, Perich arrived on campus for his true freshman of college at the University of Minnesota late and injured. Because of that, the safety was limited in his playing time, to start the 2025 Gophers football season. Nonetheless, the homegrown supertalent seemed to impact the game every time he got on the field. To go with his 46 combined tackles and 3 passes defended, Koi Perich snagged 5 interceptions (which led the Big Ten) and forced 1 fumble. He also sat near the top of the conference in most punt/kick return categories. Related Headlines MN Twins Relievers Up for Sale… But What About Joe Ryan? Secret High Roller Emerges to Anchor New MN Twins Ownership Group Former MN Twins First Round Pick Calls it a Career It just seemed that, in every big moment, the 18-year-old kid did something special. And not only did Koi's historic freshman season earn him a place on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, but he was also named 1st Team All Big-Ten and 2nd Team All-American. Gopher phenom Koi Perich ready to build on huge freshman season Entering 2025, PJ Fleck and the Minnesota Gophers appear determined to play Koi Perich on both sides of the ball. He's even been wearing a multi-colored practice jersey this spring and summer. I'm all for it. This is one of the most talented players to ever wear a maroon and gold uniform. Fleck and his coaches (on all sides of the ball) should squeeze every ounce of CFB talent/usage possible out of Perich. Not only will it help Minnesota win more football games, but it will undoubtedly help grow the brand too. Related: And in return, the small-town kid out of Esko will have more opportunities for national recognition, over the next couple years, than any Gopher in modern football history, and way more than any helmet schools (like Ohio State) could have offered him. Let's be real, too. While there's little concern, at this point, that the Minnesota Gophers will lose Koi Perich to the transfer portal, his time in college football is limited. This kid is an NFL talent, and guess what? He knows it. Koi Perich has already used up one of his four years of standard college eligibility. And while there are quite a few ways to get a fifth year these days, don't expect Minnesota's young superstar to stick around any longer than he has to. Koi Perich didn't dream of playing for Gophers, wants to be a Viking On Wednesday, at Gopher football media day, Koi told reporters gathered at the U of M football facilities that his dream was never to play for his home state's only power conference collegiate football program. In fact, Perich never dreamed of playing college football at all. His only dream is at the next level. But Koi is like any out-state kid from MN. His childhood football dreams aren't just in the NFL, he specifically wants to play for the Minnesota Vikings. Reporter: 'Was [playing for the Minnesota Gophers] always a dream of yours growing up?' Perich: 'No, I didn't watch college football. My dream was to play for the Vikings. I would just skip through college if I could and just gone straight to the Vikings. But, you gotta do your three years, and I'm willing to do it.' Koi Perich – Gophers Football media day (video via KSTP Sports) Related: As Koi reminds us, football fans in this state, especially outside of the Twin Cities, live and die with the Minnesota Vikings. But Gopher diehards shouldn't be offended by that. If anything, it means we could very well see the future Dinkytown legend trade in his maroon and gold, for purple and gold. Whether he's able to manifest that destiny straight out of the draft, or later on in his career, has yet to be determined. One thing is certain, however. As long as this kid stays healthy, he will be an early round draft pick in 2027, after he finishes his required three seasons with the Gophers. Not only was Koi an All-American as a freshman, but entering his sophomore season, the 6'1″, 200lb safety/utility weapon has been tagged as one of the 20 best players in all of college football, by PFF. After just one year of high-level football, Perich is already developing into the type of talent that NFL scouts will be drooling to get their hands on just as quickly as he is willing to make the jump. Koi Perich dreams of playing for Minnesota Vikings just like every other local out-state kid Koi and I have very few things in common, most notably, football talent. But as two people who were born and raised in small town Minnesota, we share one thing for sure. We fell in love with the game of football because of the Vikings, who have owned the greater MN sports market since the mid-90s. Football kids in Minnesota, especially those who grow up away from the Twin Cities, are raised idolizing and pedestalizing the Vikings like their fandom means the difference between making it to heaven and being sent south for the rest of your eternal winters. Related: For 30-somethings like me (and Adam Thielen), it was Randy Moss, Cris Carter and whoever happened to be throwing them the football between the 1998 and early 2000s seasons. Those Vikings teams revolutionized the game of football and hooked millions of local kids my age. For older teenagers, like Koi Perich, and early twenty-somethings a bit older than he is, they remember Brett Favre and the Vikings' run in 2009-10, along with the Minneapolis Miracle from 2017-18. What few of us think about when we dig back into our football memories, is the Minnesota Gophers, who have hovered from mediocre to terrible for most of our modern day lives. PJ Fleck is helping to turn that around and Huntington Bank Stadium is more full now than at any U of M football stadium most of us have attended. Related Headlines MN Twins Relievers Up for Sale… But What About Joe Ryan? Secret High Roller Emerges to Anchor New MN Twins Ownership Group Former MN Twins First Round Pick Calls it a Career
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3 days ago
- Sport
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One Minnesota Twins Pitcher Devastated by Trade
When the Minnesota Twins indicated they would get serious about selling at the MLB trade deadline all of the impending free agents were put on notice. There was no reason to believe any of them would remain, and ultimately the only one that did was expensive but unproductive veteran catcher Christian Vazquez. From there ownership was convinced to completely burn things to the ground. They paid the Houston Astros to take Carlos Correa off their hands. Controllable talents like Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax were moved as well. Right before the bell hometown kid Louie Varland was packaged with Ty France and sent to Canada. That move was jarring, and it hit home for the lifetime Minnesotan. Related Headlines Byron Buxton Rejected Multiple Trade Inquiries Before Deadline MN Twins Interested in Former (Familiar) Top Reliever 5 Quarterbacks the MN Vikings Should Dump Sam Howell For Louie Varland crushed by MN Twins In 2019 the Minnesota Twins took Louie Varland in the 15th round out of Concordia St. Paul. He was overlooked as a Division II product, but not long later was pumping 100 mph cheddar. Pushed to the bullpen this season, he owned a 2.02 ERA (2.90 FIP) with 47 strikeouts in 49 innings. Effectively one of the best, and most-used (51 appearances) relievers in baseball, the trade shook the Minnesota native. Varland was devastated, leaving Twins players seething and rivals GMs dumbfounded as to why the Twins would actually trade a valuable reliever (2.02 ERA, 47 strikeouts in 49 innings) with five years of control. My God, he was born and raised in St. Paul, with his wife and a family coming to virtually every home game. This is the way you treat him? USA Today As Bob Nightengale points out, the move for Varland was earth-shattering. He grew up with this organization. He transformed himself with this organization. Varland became a dominant big league pitcher wearing a Twins jersey. He also knows, having been a fan of the franchise while growing up, how bad the Pohlad's are as an ownership entity. Derek Falvey said the moves were 'not geared toward the financial flexibility component of it.' Nightengale eloquently stated, 'Believe it or not, those words were uttered with a straight face.' Varland is under team control through the 2030 season and makes little more than the league minimum. He is not set to hit arbitration until 2027, and couldn't be more of a player you'd want to build around. That didn't matter to the Pohlad's or Falvey though. Related: When a player like Louie Varland is being pieced out in an effort to shed a prorated portion of Ty France's $1 million salary, you know rock bottom has been reached. It's something Varland felt in the moment, and a reality he now must move forward with. No matter what the return ultimately brings down the line for Minnesota, July 31, 2025 is a day that will forever live in infamy. The Pohlad family can't cease to exist in an ownership capacity soon enough. They took everything from the fanbase, and they took everything from a kid that turned into a big league and was right where he belonged. Related Headlines Byron Buxton Rejected Multiple Trade Inquiries Before Deadline MN Twins Interested in Former (Familiar) Top Reliever 5 Quarterbacks the MN Vikings Should Dump Sam Howell For
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3 days ago
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Minnesota Twins Trade Two Relievers at Last Minute
In case the 2025 Major League Baseball trade deadline wasn't insane enough, Derek Falvey decided to get a tip in at the buzzer. Of course the most shocking news was deciding to move Carlos Correa and his contract back to the Houston Astros. Having already made a plethora of moves, the Twins president of baseball operations sent two more relievers packing as the clock struck zero. Griffin Jax and Louie Varland both have new homes. That means Minnesota sent out a whopping five of their eight relievers to new teams prior to the deadline. Related Headlines Minnesota Twins Sale Reportedly Gaining Steam… with Some Doubters Minnesota Twins Make Unprecedented Amount of Roster Moves MN Twins Earn Praise for One Prospect Return Griffin Jax goes from MN Twins to Tampa Bay Rays It was expected that Griffin Jax could be traded along with closer Jhoan Duran. The latter went first to the Philadelphia Phillies. The former was held onto until the waning seconds, but he's headed to the Tampa Bay Rays. Jax is 30 years old and under team control through 2027. He is making just $2.37 million this season, and despite a gaudy 4.50 ERA, he owns a 2.00 FIP and has been as dominant as ever. With a 1.5 fWAR, Jax has the best mark among Twins relievers, and is actually above the 1.3 fWAR owned by Jhoan Duran. The tally makes him the 5th-best reliever in baseball by fWAR. The Rays sent Taj Bradley to the Minnesota Twins. He's a former fifth round pick (2018) and was a top 25 prospect in baseball as recently as 2023. Bradley has made 69 appearances (67 starts) across three seasons at the big league level for the Rays. The numbers haven't worked in his favor yet though. He owns just a 4.70 ERA (4.33 FIP) and his 9.6 K/9 has been watered down by a 3.3 BB/9 and 1.5 HR/9. Related: Minnesota will look to push his development towards the player that owns a 2.90 ERA across 366 1/3 minor league innings. Bradley is not arbitration eligible until 2027 and is under team control through 2030. Blue Jays grab Varland and France from MN Twins It wasn't just Jax that was traded up against the deadline. Louie Varland and Ty France both found themselves headed elsewhere, and they'll need their passports to get there. The Varland inclusion is an interesting one. Toronto was in the market for a leverage bullpen arm, and after missing out on other options, they apparently approached Minnesota about the remade starter. Ty France had little value as a first baseman with an 86 OPS+, but his $1 million contract was easy to throw in. It's jarring to see the Minnesota-native Varland, who's under team control through 2031, leave. He owns a 2.02 ERA (2.89 FIP) this season and has been used a ridiculous 51 times already. A true development story, that one should sting a bit. Kendrys Rojas is a left-handed pitcher and the fifth best prospect in the Blue Jays organization per MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old Cuban reached Triple-A this season. He has 11 appearances (10 starts) across four levels in 2025 and owns a 3.46 ERA. In 252 2/3 minor league innings he has a 3.31 ERA with a 10.6 K/9. Related: Alan Roden is a Wisconsin-native that made his big league debut this season. He was third-round pick out of Creighton in 2022. The left-handed outfielder has a .204/.283/.306 slash line in 43 big league games this year. In 32 games with Triple-A Buffalo he owns a .918 OPS, and he has an .866 OPS across 298 total minor league games. Related Headlines Minnesota Twins Sale Reportedly Gaining Steam… with Some Doubters Minnesota Twins Make Unprecedented Amount of Roster Moves MN Twins Earn Praise for One Prospect Return
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3 days ago
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Veteran Addition May be MN Vikings Secret Weapon
This season is a big one for the Minnesota Vikings in that they are hoping to be breaking in a new franchise quarterback. J.J. McCarthy missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a season-ending knee injury. Kevin O'Connell showed how impactful he can be on a quarterback by turning Sam Darnold back into a legitimate asset. He'll have his hands all over the development of McCarthy as well. Unlike the situation Darnold was in last year, McCarthy has a revamped offensive line. Among the most overlooked spots there is Ryan Kelly taking over for Garrett Bradbury. The former Pro Bowler isn't just talented at his position, but he could be the key for McCarthy too. Related Headlines One Minnesota Twins Pitcher Devastated by Trade Minnesota Vikings Add More Pass-Catching Help Report: MN Twins Reliever Requested Trade Ryan Kelly could be the difference for Minnesota Vikings Kevin O'Connell will do everything he can to help prepare McCarthy get ready between the sidelines. He can't be on the field though, and that's where veteran offensive lineman Ryan Kelly comes in. The head coach outlined just that to The Athletic's Alec Lewis. 'Between the whistles,' O'Connell said before training camp, 'you can't have a more valuable piece for J.J. (than Kelly).' Centers in football are similar to catchers in baseball. Bulldozing a defender is easily identifiable, like hitting a home run, but there are hidden advantages to being cerebral. In baseball, the great catchers call the game intellectually, carrying with them a mental bank of tendencies for each opposing hitter. In football, the great centers not only recognize defensive tells but also have the bandwidth during the stress of the 40-second countdown to voice or signal those observations to those around them. The Athletic Bradbury had upped his play in recent seasons enough to stick around for the Vikings. When the franchise decided to attack the line though, a total interior makeover was necessary. Kelly joined first and then helped Minnesota to land Will Fries. That sort of recommendation and recruiting prowess is just another footnote of the influence a key veteran can have. For McCarthy, Kelly is determined to be his eyes and ears when the game gets going. Kelly won't be able to throw the ball for McCarthy, but he's going to be a steadying presence. He has played 121 games over the course of his nine year career. He has seen it all, and the quarterbacks he has worked with trust him unconditionally. Related: The more that Kelly can generate the buy-in of his young new teammate, and the more McCarthy can lean on his front man, the better the Minnesota Vikings will be. The chemistry has already started, and it will only grow once things kick off in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears. Related Headlines One Minnesota Twins Pitcher Devastated by Trade Minnesota Vikings Add More Pass-Catching Help Report: MN Twins Reliever Requested Trade
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3 days ago
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Minnesota Lynx Roster Changes Amidst Title Run
If you haven't noticed the Minnesota Lynx are the best team in the WNBA and they are looking to win the title that was stolen from them last season. Cheryl Reeve has her team sitting at 24-5 this season, and they just recently beat the New York Liberty. After a contentious WNBA Finals experience, there has been a desire to rectify the outcome this season. Napheesa Collier is among the best talents in the league, and now Minnesota will need to operate without her for a period of time. Related Headlines MN Twins Claim Yet Another Discarded Pitcher JJ McCarthy Struggling vs Upgraded Vikings Defense Cheryl Reeve's KFAN Absence Stems From Refusal to Discuss Caitlin Clark Snub Napheesa Collier sidelined for Minnesota Lynx Last season Napheesa Collier earned Defensive Player of the Year honors for the first time in her career. That pairs with her Rookie of the Year award from 2019 to grow her individual trophy case. She was having another strong season this year, but an ankle injury is going to interrupt that. This season Collier has averaged a career-best 23.5 points per game on a ridiculous 53.7% shooting rate. Her 36.8% from deep trails only the 40.8% three point percentage she put up in 2020. Now in her seventh year as a professional, Collier has played each of her seasons in the WNBA for the Lynx. She is the leader of this team, and an imperative part if they want to again win a WNBA championship. Related: It's a positive her injury can be measured in a matter of weeks rather than months. Reeve and the Lynx have considerable breathing room. They'll need to stay afloat in her absence though. MN Lynx swing a big trade for DiJonai Carrington Beyond just losing Collier, the Minnesota Lynx swung a trade for some new talent. They parted with both Diamond Miller and Karlie Samuelson to add DiJonai Carrington. Carrington was a second-round pick in 2021 out of Baylor. She originally appeared for the Connecticut Sun before playing with the Dallas Wings this season. Last year Carrington won Most Improved Player honors and she has averaged 10.4 points per game this year. The combo guard has the ability to play both backcourt and frontcourt roles at 5'11'. How Cheryl Reeve uses her remains to be seen, but there will be expanded opportunity with Collier out. Minnesota has just 14 games left before the playoffs. The hope is that they can enter them healthy, with Collier in tow, and make some real noise. Related Headlines MN Twins Claim Yet Another Discarded Pitcher JJ McCarthy Struggling vs Upgraded Vikings Defense Cheryl Reeve's KFAN Absence Stems From Refusal to Discuss Caitlin Clark Snub
