JJ Pegues is one of my favorite defensive players to study in the 2025 NFL Draft class, having first caught my eye when he announced his transfer from Auburn to Ole Miss prior to the 2022 season.
After years of flashing production and next-level athletic traits, Pegues has put it all together in 2024 to make him not just a star defensive tackle, but a two-way threat.
Despite being on the NFL draft radar for quite some time, most media scouts aren’t giving JJ Pegues the credit he deserves in this loaded defensive line draft class.
Read on to see BNB Football’s complete JJ Pegues scouting report, which includes his strengths, weaknesses, production, and measurables.
Prospect: JJ Pegues
School: Ole Miss
Position: Defensive Line
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 325
Class: Redshirt Senior (5th Year)
JJ Pegues NFL Draft Profile Overview
JJ Pegues first started catching the eye of football coaches as a middle schooler posting impressive workout videos.
He went on to attend Oxford High School in Oxford, Mississippi, where he blossomed into a highly touted recruit with offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Auburn, Alabama, and others.
At the time Pegues played both sides of the football, but was much better known as a tight end and running back. He led his team to a class 6A State Championship win (the highest division in Mississippi) while leading the team in touchdowns. He was labeled the position of “Athlete” by recruiting services, and committed to Auburn with the hopes of staying on offense.
After playing sparingly as a true freshman tight end in 2020, Pegues converted to the defensive line in Spring 2021.
Following a decent 2021 season, Pegues transferred home to Ole Miss where his career began to soar.
In 2023 Pegues became a full time starter, and responded with consistent disruption as both a run stopper and pass rusher.
Thanks to his strength, strong hands, and nimble feet, Pegues was able to consistently beat offensive linemen despite having less experience at the position than his peers.
Alongside the defensive production also came an increased offensive role. In 2024 Pegues saw heavy usage as a fullback and wildcat QB, carrying the ball 21 times and running for 7 touchdowns for the explosive Ole Miss offense.
It isn’t too uncommon to see big men getting a chance to touch the ball these days, but Pegues genuinely doesn’t move like a big man. He has the quickness to have a legitimate shot at getting fullback snaps in the NFL.
There’s still more to work on with his game, as his technique isn’t as consistent as other players in the class. But the physical traits are undeniable, and he’ll likely shoot up draft board after he sets the NFL Combine on fire in late February.
Off the football field JJ is heavily admired for returning home to Oxford and staying highly active in the community, earning the Chucky Mullins Courage Award as well as being a Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist.
JJ Pegues College Stats
In 62 career college games, JJ Pegues accumulated 126 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and 6 passes defended. He also scored 8 touchdowns on offense.
| YEAR | GAMES | TACKLES | TFLs | SACKS | PD | FF |
| 2024 | 12 | 42 | 13.5 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 13 | 42 | 8 | 3.5 | 4 | 0 |
| 2022 | 12 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 13 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TFLs = Tackles for loss
PD = Passes Defended
FF = Fumbles Forced
Accolades
- All-SEC 3rd Team
- Chucky Mullins Courage Award
Strengths
- Explosive athlete
- Heavy hands and hit power that stuns offensive linemen
- Very nimble feet
- Offensive experience helps in diagnosing plays
- Low center of gravity
- Can line up anywhere along the d-line
- Ball skills and athleticism to play fullback
Weaknesses
- Below average length
- Can be slow to react off the snap
- Some hip stiffness
- Doesn’t always finish plays
Grade
3rd-4th Round
JJ Pegues is overshadowed a bit as part of an Ole Miss defense that was chalk full of NFL Draft prospects, including likely 1st round pick Walter Nolen and like Day 2 pick Princely Umanmielen.
But that should work to his advantage, giving NFL teams plenty of excuses to turn on Ole Miss defensive film and see his explosiveness firsthand.
He isn’t the tallest or longest defensive lineman, but he’ll be rising up draft board at the Combine and should interview well.
I personally would draft Pegues right on the fringe of the top 100, making him a late 3rd or more likely early 4th round pick.
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Thank you for reading our JJ Pegues NFL Draft Scouting Report. If you have anything to add, please leave in below in the comments. Best of luck to JJ in his NFL career.
