'I can't wait to throw it up more': Oxford's JJ Pegues got his first taste of Ole Miss' landshark defense
Very few times the hometown kid gets to play college football minutes away from where they grew up but Ole Miss has been the exception that bucks the trend in recent years.
First there was DK Metcalf and now it is JJ Pegues’ turn to play inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium just over two miles away from Bobby Holcomb Field where each played for Oxford High School.
For Metcalf it was a journey straight across town to Ole Miss after Oxford. For Pegues there was a slight detour over to Auburn before the native son returned ahead of this season.
The season is now two games old and both have been played at home for Ole Miss, giving Pegues the opportunity to enjoy starting his career as a Rebel in his own backyard.
It has also allowed Pegues the opportunity to let as many family and friends was him play as possible, despite it being a hard ticket to get.
“We all get four tickets so I’ve really been asking all the other players for tickets,” said Pegues, who is sponsored by Chris Pharmacy in Columbus. “I know I’ve had probably 20-something tickets for my family. It’s been surreal. Just being in the moment, taking it all in. Just having fun with it.”
Ole Miss has Pegues playing primarily defense but the last time he played football in Oxford he wore many hats.
The Charger standout was a utility man, playing tight end, running back, defensive line and even a receiver a couple times.
When Pegues went to Auburn he started out as a tight end but then quickly converted to the defensive line. He arrived at Ole Miss in the winter in time for spring practices and since then has been strictly working as a defensive tackle.
The success is becoming evident as Pegues has earned considerable playing time, participating in 46 percent of the snaps on defense. He has recorded two tackles and a sack.
“Unique player,” said Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin of Pegues. “No disrespect, we really haven’t had a D-tackle since we’ve been here that is explosive like this, who looks like what you always have to prepare against in the SEC. Usually there are a number of these guys around in the conference. …But he’s doing a great job and he’s a really cool kid to be around.”
Related: Safety Isheem Young settling in nicely in the Ole Miss secondary
The sack occurred against Troy when Pegues broke through and laid a massive hit on the quarterback, sending the helmet flying.
After the sack Pegues put up the ‘Landshark’ gesture to his own helmet. It was something that felt instinctual for the Oxford native that has seen many an Ole Miss player before do the same.
“I just made the play and I really didn’t know what to do and I usually (former Ole Miss player Robert) Nkemdiche and them throwing up ‘Landsharks.’ It was a surreal moment again and just can’t wait to throw it up more.”
Now that the season is in full swing and Pegues has experienced the moment of playing at home he can begin to fully focus on the remaining 10 games. That begins this weekend at Georgia Tech at 2:30 p.m. CT.
Watch Pegues’ entire post-practice interview from Tuesday below.
