Minnesota · Big TenMinnesota Rebuilds Its Safety Room After Koi Perich's Exit to Oregon
Kerry Brown returns for a third year as a starter. The question is who lines up next to him when the Gophers open Sept. 3 against Eastern Illinois.
AUG 28, 2026
Koi Perich is at Oregon, leaving Minnesota to remake its safety rotation around the players who stayed.
Perich left for a large NIL payday and a chance to play for a national title. A second-team All-American as a true freshman and second-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore, he finished third on the Gophers with 82 tackles and one interception last season.
Kerry Brown is the returner at the center of the reset. He enters his third year as a starter after posting 56 tackles and two interceptions as a sophomore, earning Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.
Aiden Gousby is expected to start at safety. The senior has experience at both safety positions, nickel and corner, and could shift to nickel in passing situations.
Zack Harden played limited snaps in 11 games as a true freshman and has drawn Tyler Nubin comparisons during spring and fall camp. Minnesota has not clarified whether Harden will start or remain in the rotation.
Redshirt junior Garrison Monroe of Shakopee is expected to provide depth. Junior Lehigh transfer Mekhai Smith is expected to join the rotation.
Minnesota has not officially named its 2026 safety starters. Brown is established; the unsettled spot beside him is the secondary question entering Sept. 3.