For JJ Pegues it was a "surreal moment" putting his Ole Miss helmet on for the first time

Tuesday was not JJ Pegues first practice as a college football player but it was just as emotional for the Oxford native.

When the Oxford’s native son put on his Ole Miss helmet for the first time before heading out to the opening day of spring practices, Pegues took stock of where he was and living in the moment.

“It really felt like, I’m not going to say an Oxford practice, it felt good being back home and just having an opportunity to put an Ole Miss Rebel helmet on,” Pegues said. Pegues is an exclusive NIL partner of the Ole Miss Spirit. He is sponsored by Chris’ Pharmacy, an independent pharmacy owned by Chris Bonner in Columbus, Miss. Give them a call at 662-328-4300.

“It just felt like a surreal moment. It felt like I’m representing not only my city but my home, where I’m from.”

Once Pegues strapped his helmet on it was time for one of the Rebels newest defensive linemen to get to work. Transferring over from Auburn via the portal, Pegues has fully transitioned from offense to defense.

After years of playing as a tight end in high school at Oxford and then his first year with the Tigers, Pegues was moved over to defense. He has taken to his new home on the field.

Through one practice, Pegues moved up and down the defensive front and used as a versatile option at three-low and two-high. Being able to prove he can be a factor at more than one spot appeals to Pegues.

“It felt good being out on the field and just showing off what I can do back at home,” Pegues said. “That’s one of the reason’s why I came here. I just like to be able to move around and be versatile and help out the team wherever we need help.”

Pegues is not the only new face on the defensive line. Former Georgia Tech defensive end Jared Ivey also made the move to the Rebels via the transfer portal this past winter.

The new duo adds some depth as well as fills some holes left open by pass rusher Sam Williams, who is now preparing for the NFL Draft, but there is still a learning curve for both.

“(Ivey’s) doing good. I know he’s making plays in the spring,” Pegues said. “Like me, we’re still learning the defense and the scheme and things like that. Once we progress through the spring and get closer to the end we’ll catch and eye from other players and other teammates and even coaches.”

Pegues may already be catching eyes from his teammates just a couple days into spring. Returning defensive veteran AJ Finley had high praise for Pegues after Tuesday’s practice.

“He’s one of the most explosive big guys I’ve ever seen,” Finley said. “Coming off the ball he’s really explosive and he’s really strong.”

There is still some adjustment and newness for not just Pegues but his coaches. Maurice Crum is coming in as the newest co-defensive coordinator for the Rebels, sharing the duties with Chris Partridge.

Crum oversees the linebackers but Pegues has interacted with his new coordinator some and likes what he sees.

“Coach Crum is the best, really,” Pegues said. “He’s been helping out a lot and you can tell the impact he has on a bunch of our players. I feel like the more he gets used to it and the more we get used to him the trust will build up and that’s one of the main things we’re working on right now is just building trust. Because everything is new for everyone.”