With the transfer portal window closed, Colorado faces significant coaching adjustments as it plots a path forward from a 3-9 season. Peko’s departure removes a veteran voice with a 15-year NFL résumé, including 214 games played (194 starts) and 616 tackles, from a unit that needs strengthened run defense and interior push up front.
Peko’s background traces to Los Angeles, American Samoa roots, and a climb from the College of the Canyons to Michigan State, before anchoring the Cincinnati Bengals’ interior for 11 seasons and later contributing to the Ravens. His player profile—an established A-gap presence and run-stopping anchor—made him a natural fit for Colorado’s defensive staff, including his reunion with Buffs defensive coordinator Robert Livingston.
Colorado’s defense showed progress in Livingston’s second year, including a historic improvement in total defense and a notable drop in scoring defense. However, 2025 brought a sharp reversal: the Buffaloes finished last in the Big 12 in total defense (425.7 yards per game) and near the bottom in scoring defense (30.5 points per game), highlighting the dwindling run defense and the looming need for stability along the front seven.
The timing of Peko’s departure adds ripple effects beyond the field. Notre Dame recently lost defensive coaches to the NFL, illustrating the broader trend of pro allure pulling college staff away. Colorado also welcomed a 2026 recruit with family ties to Peko—Joseph Peko, a three-star defensive lineman and son of Domata—whose commitment could be tested by the current coaching churn.
Beyond the loss of Peko, Colorado could contend with other potential staff moves, including the possibility of Robert Livingston moving to the Dallas Cowboys. The combination of coaching turnover and front-seven instability places additional pressure on Deion Sanders to identify a trustworthy DL coach and to maintain recruiting momentum with an unsettled staff and shifting game plans.
