JJ Pegues' performance during Ole Miss' fall camp scrimmage shows the depth of defensive line
The defensive line of Ole Miss is one that has plenty of numbers but the question was how many could be considered impact players this season.
Saturday’s open scrimmage, the only one of fall camp, provided some evidence that things up front for the defense are just fine.
Newcomer JJ Pegues shined in his first spring at Ole Miss and on Saturday he continued to show progression.
Pegues was in the backfield a few times, and while the quarterbacks did have the non-contact white jerseys on, he did record two sacks on the day.
“It felt really good. There’s a lot of emotions going on with me just being back home,” Pegues said after the scrimmage.
Pegues is considered behind K.D. Hill at defensive tackle but an ‘OR’ could easily be placed between their names.
Since making the move from Auburn to Ole Miss and adjusting to live back home Pegues is also adjusting to a new position.
So far, it looks like Pegues is taking to the tackle position like a fish to water and excelling at a high rate.
“I’ve felt like (it’s a new start),” Pegues said. “Just coming back home and just being in a new system. Like I said, it’s like my first year playing d-line. Me playing offense my whole life I’ve felt like everything’s a fresh start. Which is why I like to learn a lot and not be one of the type of guys (that act like) that they already know. Because I feel like if you know everything you’re never going to get better. If you want to know more than you already know then you become great.”
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Pegues journey back to Ole Miss and Oxford has been well documented over the last few months.
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin missed out on Pegues during his high school recruitment out of Oxford High School. Kiffin had been hired less than two weeks before the December signing day in 2019 and the two never connected.
Once Pegues hit the transfer portal after last season, Kiffin made sure not have a missed connection twice with the hometown player.
“JJ has stood out the entire camp,” Kiffin said on Saturday. “He did a good job in the spring but he’s really improved and in my opinion has got a chance to be a really big-time in this league that’s had a million of them.
“Sometimes it’s better second time around. We lost him the first time and got him back. So (Auburn) coached him up and now we get him better.”
Pegues was not the only backup or reserve that had a standout day along Ole Miss’ defensive front.
Redshirt freshman Tywone Malone led the defensive line in total tackles with four. Malone is probably still behind three players at defensive end with Tavius Robinson, Jared Ivey and Jamond Gordon seeing starter reps at this point of camp.
Malone was seen around the ball frequently throughout the scrimmage and introduced himself to the quarterbacks late with a sack of his own.
Related: PHOTOS: Jaxson Dart shines in Ole Miss football’s first scrimmage of fall camp
