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Ole Miss DT JJ Pegues selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025 NFL Draft

11by: Jake Thompson04/26/25JakeThompsonOn3
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Aug 31, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen JJ Pegues (38) reacts after a first down run during the first half against the Furman Paladins at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Oxford’s native son and Ole Miss defensive tackle JJ Pegues has achieved his boyhood dream.

Pegues was selected by the the Las Vegas Raiders in the sixth round as the 180th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Yet another standout player on the Rebels historic 2024 defense is heading to play on Sundays.

For Pegues, who returned home and spent three years with Ole Miss after transferring from Auburn, it is a lifelong dream and goal like ever player drafted this weekend.

Part of the defensive line that dominated opposing offenses all season, Pegues recorded 42 tackles and tied for third on the team with 13.5 tackles for loss. He also had 3.5 sacks.

For his entire Ole Miss career Pegues finished with 110 tackles (51 solo), 26.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, seven pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

What made Pegues a unique draft prospect is his ability to be short-yardage playmaker. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin utilized Pegues, who once played tight end at Oxford High School, to be a scoring threat at the goal line. He finished with 26 carries for 86 yards and seven touchdowns. All seven were scored in 2024.

He was viewed as a mid-round pick at worst.

“Compact, thick-hipped defensive lineman with versatility to play multiple positions — including short-yardage running back! Pegues can be hell on wheels when he’s motivated and has it cranked up,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein said.

Pegues selection makes it eight Ole Miss players selected this year. That is a new program record in the seven-round era (since 1994). This is also the most players drafted in one year in the Lane Kiffin era. The previous best was six selected in the 2022 draft.

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