Samu Taumanupepe Reveals Why He Flipped Transfer Commitment From Florida To Colorado

Former Baylor Bears defensive lineman Samu Taumanupepe surprised many on Saturday by pulling off the rare transfer flip.

Only two days after committing to the Florida Gators, Taumanupepe changed course from Gainesville to Boulder, announcing he'll instead continue his college football career with the Colorado Buffaloes. While his decision likely stemmed from a multitude of factors, the sophomore made clear in a social media post that Colorado defensive line coach Domata Peko played a major role.

Samu Taumanupepe Flipped Transfer Portal Commitment Florida Gators Colorado Buffaloes Baylor Bears Domata Peko NFL Coaching — Nov 22, 2025; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive line assistant coach Domata Peko before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Responding to a Florida football media member questioning whether he'll be developed properly at Colorado, Taumanupepe noted that Peko has plenty of wisdom to share after enjoying a lengthy NFL career.

"Coach Peko played in the league for 15 years," Taumanupepe wrote. "Gold star captain by the way. I play nose… you don’t think I wouldn’t want to be coached by a vet that played my position?? You are an outsider for Florida and I can tell. Have a great day and stay blessed up UNC."

Coach Peko played in the league for 15 years… Gold star captain by the way. I play nose… you don’t think I wouldn’t want to be coached by a vet that played my position?? You are an outsider for Florida and I can tell.
Have a great day and stay blessed up UNC.🤙🏾
— Samu Taumanupepe (@Samu4T) January 18, 2026

Taumanupepe was originally set to play for former Colorado defensive line coach Gerald Chatman at Florida. Although Chatman owns an impressive coaching resume that included a stop with the Buffs in 2022, he never played in the NFL.

Projecting Samu Taumanupepe's Role At Colorado

Colorado's new-look defensive line room features too many newcomers to accurately predict an early depth chart. While some patience is required, roles will begin to be solidified when spring camp begins in about two months.

Despite an ultimately unproductive first three college seasons at Texas A&M (2023-24) and Baylor (2025), Taumanupepe's Power Four experience and 6-foot-3, 376-pound frame make him an intriguing defensive lineman to watch moving forward. The former three-star prospect owns eight career tackles.

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Colorado Buffaloes' Defensive Line Additions

Including Taumanupepe, Colorado has so far landed 12 defensive linemen/edge rushers via the transfer portal. Peko, defensive ends coach George Helow, pass rush coordinator Warren Sapp and others will all work closely with the Buffs' newest additions up front.

Yamil Talib (Charlotte)
Lamont Lester Jr. (Monmouth)
Balansama Kamara (Albany)
Dylan Manuel (Appalachian State)
Toby Anene (North Dakota State)
Manny Ezeogu (James Madison)
Tyler Moore (Coastal Carolina)
Santana Hopper (Tulane)
Vili Taufatofua (San Jose State)
Ezra Christensen (New Mexico State)
Sedrick Smith (Maryland)
Samu Taumanupepe (Baylor)

Plus, Peko's sons, Domata Peko Jr. and Joseph Peko, are committed to Colorado's 2026 recruiting class as three-star defensive linemen. Only Peko Jr., a junior college transfer, has signed.

In total, "Coach Prime" has landed 41 players in the transfer portal.

“We ain’t playing. We ain’t sleeping here until we get them all,” Sanders said in a recent Well Off Media YouTube video. “We don’t have many more to go, (but) we’re going to get them all. We’re gonna get what we want and want what we get. Believe that.”