J.J. Pegues

J.J. Pegues attended Oxford High School in Mississipppi, and helped lead the Chargers to the Class 6A state championship as a senior. The youngster lettered in both basketball and football for Oxford. He was rated a four-star recruit and the No. 10 defensive tackle in the nation by 247Sports. With several offers to choose from, Pegues committed to Auburn University to play football. In Pegues' first season, he played as a tight end and had seven receptions for 57 yards while also rushing five times for 14 yards. He was converted to a defensive tackle prior to the next campaign and in his first season as a defensive lineman, Pegues tallied 17 tackles, two tackles for a loss in 13 games. After the conclusion of the 2021 season, he entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal and decided to transfer to the University of Mississippi. In his first season at Ole Miss, Pegues appeared in 12 games as a reserve defensive lineman and totaled 26 tackles, five tackles for a loss and three sacks. In 2023, the fourth-year defensive tackle broke out for a big season. He played in all 13 games, starting 12 at defensive tackle, registering 42 tackles, eight tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks. After the season, Pegues announced he was coming back to Ole Miss for his fifth season.