J.J. Pegues makes it official, Oxford native transferring home to play for the Rebels
OXFORD, Miss. — They are the words Ole Miss football fans have been waiting to hear: “I’m Back!! I’m Coming Home #OleMiss #comingtotheSip”
Oxford native and Auburn transfer J.J. Pegues announced Tuesday on Twitter he is returning home to play football for the Rebels.
Im Back!!!!!!!I’m Coming Home #OleMiss #comingtothesip pic.twitter.com/e7kPPYY74o
— JJ Pegues (@JeremiahPegues4) January 19, 2022
As a senior at Oxford High School, the 6-foot-3, 308-pound Pegues totaled 623 rushing yards, 607 receiving yards and 18 scores. The four-star athlete signed as a tight end with Auburn as a part of the Class of 2020.
During Pegues’ freshman campaign on the Plains, he played tight end for the Tigers. In his first 5 games at Auburn, he played wildcat quarterback, H-back, tight end and even drew raves on special teams.
Head coach Lane Kiffin, who was hired as the Rebels’ head coach late in 2019, recruited the four-star Pegues, but the state’s No. 3 and nation’s No. 6 player (247Sports Composite) was already secure in his pledge to the Tigers.
Kiffin Knew Pegues Could be Special on the D-line
Back in 2020, Kiffin knew what an outstanding athlete — and defensive player — Pegues could be in the SEC. He said as much in an October, 2020 interview with Connor O’Gara of SDS.
“Special player. The guy plays special teams at that size, speed, ran wildcat and if he ever wanted to go to the other side, he’d probably be a top-5 pick as a 3-technique.”
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin
Yes, back in October, 2020 Kiffin saw what Pegues’ future could be. And what do you know? The following spring, Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin concurred as he moved Pegues to the other side of the ball. In 2021, in his new position, Pegues notched 17 tackles, two tackles for loss and forced one fumble.
The talented hometown hero, who played 24 games at Auburn in his two years there, is explosive, aggressive and has the ability to win one-on-one matchups. Pegues will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Hotty Toddy, and welcome home!
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
