A Recruiting Pivot for Colorado's Defensive Line
Joseph Peko, a three‑star defensive lineman who was ranked the nation's No. 107 defensive player and the No. 66 overall prospect in California, announced that he will sign with the Washington Huskies after having pledged to the Colorado Buffaloes earlier in the recruiting cycle.
The reversal comes after his father, Domata Peko, was hired onto the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive line staff in February, a move that appears to have influenced the younger Peko’s decision to explore a new environment.
Domata Peko Jr., the brother, remains committed to Colorado and is slated to be the sole Buffaloes representative on the defensive line for the 2026 class, a unit that will field just one scholarship lineman among the 16 pledges.
Colorado’s 2026 recruiting class now stands at sixteen commitments, fourteen of which have already been enrolled, but the defensive line remains a thin position, prompting the coaching staff to supplement the roster with transfers such as junior‑college standout Malachi Brown.
The shift underscores how family connections and staff changes can ripple through a recruiting class, and it highlights the Buffaloes’ need to reinforce the front four as they look to build on the momentum generated by recent additions.