Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes are hosting what might quietly be the most important recruiting week of the summer.
A group of high-upside Polynesian defensive linemen will be on campus beginning today, including elite four-star defensive tackle Tufanua “TI” Umu-Cais, arguably the top player in Colorado for the 2026 class.
Joining him in Boulder are Joseph Peko, Manoah Faupusa, Ezaya Tokio, and Domata Peko Jr. — a group with size and talent, as well as family and cultural ties. The Buffs are building something that could evolve into a new cornerstone for Colorado’s identity on the defensive line.
Who’s visiting?
The headliner is Umu-Cais, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound interior force from Cherry Creek High School. He’s a consensus top-60 defensive lineman nationally and holds offers from schools like Oregon, UCLA, Washington, and North Carolina.
His frame, motor, and raw strength make him a prototypical nose or three-technique in the Big 12. Analysts love his anchor ability and hand strength, but what separates him is the upside.
Then there’s Joseph Peko, a rising 2026 prospect out of Oaks Christian (CA) and son of new Buffs defensive line coach Domata Peko Sr.. The Buffs have reportedly been battling Bill Belichick and UNC in his recruitment. He’s also the younger brother of Domata Jr., who committed to CU in April and plans to join the team this December from Ventura College.
Also visiting: Faupusa (6-2, 310), a physical, space-eating tackle, and Tokio (6-4, 200), a lean edge rusher with intriguing bend.
What makes this group unique is its shared Polynesian heritage and relationships, particularly within the Peko family. Programs like Utah and BYU have been notoriously successful on the d-line because of many Polynesian players. It's a good strategy for the Buffs to be going after these guys.
If Colorado can close with even two or three of them, it could be the beginning of a lasting pipeline.
More than just a visit
Colorado has always recruited nationally, but outside of a few notable names like Josh Tupoa and Sefo Liufau, Boulder has never been a go-to destination for Polynesian athletes. Programs like Oregon, Utah, and USC have traditionally held that edge.
But hopefully that will be changing.
Domata Peko Sr. brings NFL pedigree, cultural familiarity, and the kind of credibility that will speak loudly in living rooms. Add in Coach Prime’s emphasis on family and relationships, and Boulder becomes an increasingly attractive option for players who want more than just football development.
Sanders has consistently leaned into family connections — from the Sanders brothers to the Hood twins, to the Wester brothers and now the Peko lineage. It’s a real part of Colorado’s pitch.
With Peko Jr. already in the fold, there’s a chance to turn this into something bigger than a single recruiting win. This would be a potential culture shift happening in real time, and one that would bring physicality, identity, and cohesion into Colorado’s defensive future.
What’s at Stake?
Umu-Cais is set to visit other programs like Colorado State and North Carolina, and Joseph Peko has already visited the Tar Heels. Bill Belichick alone gives Chapel Hill real weight in these recruitments.
But Colorado has what no other school can offer: family, continuity, and a defensive line coach who literally raised the prospect.
From a personnel standpoint, this group could give CU the interior muscle it desperately needs. Despite leading the Big 12 in sacks last season, the Buffs struggled at times against the run (i.e. Devin Neal). Adding players like Umu-Cais or Peko could help change that fast.
And from a recruiting momentum standpoint, building a Polynesian pipeline would elevate Colorado’s national reputation. It would signal that CU can win battles beyond the portal and prove that Deion Sanders' staff can identify and develop high school talent.
Final thoughts
This weekend might not make national headlines. But if Colorado lands TI Umu-Cais or locks down Joseph Peko, we may look back on this as the weekend that reshaped the Buffs defensive identity.
The pieces are there. The staff is in place. And the pitch — family, tradition, and NFL development — is real.
The Polynesian pipeline isn’t just a recruiting buzzword. In Boulder, it could become a blueprint.
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