Ole Miss DT JJ Pegues is better the second time around
Some people forget that Ole Miss defensive tackle JJ Pegues, who transferred from Auburn last year, was a tight end for most of his career prior to coming to Ole Miss and that 2022 was still a learning period for him at his defensive line position.
Now, in 2023, Pegues is more of a finished product, with more weapons and a better understanding of the nuances of playing defensive tackle in the Southeastern Conference.
Want proof? We got it.
In 2022, in 12 games, Pegues ended with 26 tackles, 5 tackles for loss for -24 yards and 3 quarterback sacks for -19 yards.
In 8 games this year, Pegues has 26 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss for -32 yards and 3 quarterback sacks for -22 yards.
He has basically matched last year’s production in two-thirds of the time and playing a lot less snaps due to having more rotation than last season on the defensive line.
Another example of experience being the best teacher.
“We have improved so much as a defense and I have improved as a DT,” Pegues noted. “We now understand coach (Pete) Golding’s philosophy and we have a lot of talent that is developing weekly. Early in the year, we were just trying to learn the system and each other.
“We now feel like if we put it all together, we can shut down anyone we face. It’s about doing the small things right and communicate with our coaches. It’s all about playing freely and executing the play calls. Coach Golding and coach (Randall) Joyner give us great plans, great calls and we all can’t wait to make plays from their calls.
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“We are blessed we have enough different people that we can all stay fresh as well. The coaches do a great job of identifying and attacking the weakest offensive lineman on the opposition as well.”
Pegues complimented the Ole Miss coaches on not looking too far ahead as well.
“Obviously, we know we have a chance at some big things if we keep winning, but our coaches do a great job of keeping us focused on the next game and nothing else,” he explained.
Pegues has a lot of respect for Texas A&M’s offense.
“They are good across the board – the o-line, the backs, the wideouts, the quarterbacks. They have the talent,” he added, “but it’s all about us taking care of our business and making them one-dimensional.
“We have to stop the run and if we do I think we will be in great shape.”
For some personal excitement, the coaches put Pegues receiving the snap in the Wildcat formation near the goalline.
“I did that in high school. It’s fun,” Pegues smiled. “They (the officials) stole my touchdown – I put it over the goal, but he says he saw me short of the goal so I guess I was short (laughs). It’s just a way to get me the ball and let me use my size and athletic ability to try to make something happen.
“I don’t overthink it. I just go out there and run the play. No big deal.”
Pegues has at least four more games to tack on to his stat totals and make this a year to remember.
He’s well on his way to that goal.
