Scoggins: Koi Perich is headed elsewhere, and, hey, that’s just how college football works

College sports fandom requires a lot these days. A deeper financial investment. A calloused perspective. An emotional detachment to not give two hoots once the transfer portal opens. Unless, of course, the door opens to reveal a promising left tackle.

Gophers football fans understand this need to roll with the punches as well as anyone right now.

Koi Perich, fan favorite and Minnesota’s own, gave two seasons to the program — one electric, one not electric — then put his name in the portal.

Perich has not announced publicly where he intends to play next season. He is taking visits to Oregon and Texas Tech, the Star Tribune reported.

An athlete entering the portal is signaling that he or she is looking for a new home and better option. Choosing “never mind” and asking to return doesn’t sound like a realistic outcome.

No bit of news should ever come as a surprise in college athletics anymore, but some developments are jolting because, yes, emotions are still involved.

Perich is not just another portal transaction in the steady flow of them. His case deserves deeper discussion, along with a recognition that there is an emotional component to it and a rational side as well.

Perich’s signing gave the Gophers a splash of national credibility. A local kid who could have played anywhere picked the Gophers. He turned down an 11th-hour push by Ohio State to stay home.

He has the cool name, the dynamic athletic skills, the swagger. Perich was easily the most popular player to wear the Gophers uniform in years. He drew the loudest ovations during introductions. More fans wore No. 3 jerseys to games than any other number. His highlight plays and All-America honors as a freshman earned him the nickname “Koi Wonder.”

The passion for college football makes it both captivating and uncontrollably chaotic. The attachment fans feel for programs and players doesn’t turn off like a spigot, though that emotional investment should come with an understanding that this has become a business for all parties.

Imagine if professional athletes were eligible to become free agents after every season. That’s essentially college sports today.

Players now have the freedom to pursue more money, more playing time, a better opportunity to play for a championship, whatever the reason.

The money that would have been spent to retain Perich now can be allocated elsewhere. Fleck is addressing that reality in his portal signings.

The Gophers will never be in position to just shrug when blue-chip talent walks out the door. But Perich was in line for a hefty contract — best guess is at least $1 million next season. That is a lot of money and a sizable piece of the revenue-sharing pie for a safety coming off an underwhelming season.

Fleck’s financial limitations relative to blue-blood programs and schools with more robust NIL contributions mean the Gophers must spend wisely. The general assumption is that most Big Ten schools spend 75% of their $20.5 million revenue-sharing cap on football. So about $15 million. NIL payouts are the separator between the Haves and Have-Mores.

A common thread is running through the current College Football Playoffs. Games are won in the trenches, a tale as old as time in football.

Indiana’s Cinderella story is a tribute to many factors, not the least of which is a style of play that is tough and physical across both lines. The Hoosiers are beating up opponents.

Fleck doesn’t have the luxury of paying premium prices at every position. He must be selective. The two most important areas to solidify are quarterback and linemen. Both are expensive.

The Gophers ended the season with the most important question answered. Drake Lindsey had a strong freshman season at quarterback and looks like the real deal. The focus should be on improving everything around him.

As of Wednesday, Jan. 7, Fleck has added an offensive tackle from Tennessee, a defensive tackle from Marshall and a defensive end from Cal in the portal. More help could be coming.

Anthony Smith’s decision to return for another season as an elite pass rusher, combined with those additions, gives the defense a formidable presence along the line.

Perich brought a lot to the program in two seasons in terms of performance and marketing and excitement, but his tenure was too brief to be remembered in terms of legacy.