Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heels One of Two Fighting for 2026 3✮ DL

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The Tar Heels are in search of another interior defensive lineman in this 2026 class and the team is in the final two for one of their top remaining targets at the position.

As he announced via his social media last night, 2026 3✮ DL Joseph Peko is down to two schools, UNC and Colorado. Peko officially visited Chapel Hill back on April 12th following his offer that he received from the program back in February. He closed out his official visit a couple of weeks ago when he took his trip to Boulder back on June 16th.

Peko, the No. 1170 overall prospect and No. 124 defensive line prospect in the 2026 class according to 247Sports Composite Player Rankings, hails from Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, CA. This past season, as a junior, he tallied 40 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for a loss, 4.0 sacks, one quarterback hurry and one fumble recovery in nine games. The previous season, as a sophomore, he finished with 38 total tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks, six quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.

When it comes to where his recruitment stands going into the decision, it feels like the Tar Heels are at a significant disadvantage here. Not only did the Buffaloes get the last shot with him in this recruitment, but they also have hired his father as the defensive line coach which makes it nearly impossible to turn down this opportunity. Barring something absolutely stunning, the Tar Heels will need to turn their focus to 4✮ Dereon Albert and fellow 3✮s Tufanua Ionatana Umu-Cais and Manoah Faupusa in their search for another interior defensive lineman in this class.