'This Is A Special Place': JJ Pegues Explains Decision To Return to Ole Miss

Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman JJ Pegues recently got the opportunity to speak with the media for the first time since announcing that he would be returning for his final year of eligibility.

OXFORD, Miss. -- Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman JJ Pegues was the first senior to announce his return for the 2024 college football season, and he finally got the chance to talk about his decision during his media availability on Tuesday.

Pegues talked about the moment he knew he wanted to come back.

"Right when we knew we could make history [at Ole Miss] if we go out and win this bowl game," Pegues told reporters. "With me being from here and the new playoff [expansion] coming, it's different. 

"For me, I need to finalize and just clean up some stuff regarding my d-line work. Played two years [on the defensive line] maybe just isn't enough for me. I just want to get another year under my belt."

Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman JJ Pegues exits the field after beating the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 48-23 in Week 3 (2023).  / Carleigh Holt-The Grove Report

As mentioned above, Pegues was the first Ole Miss senior to announce his return for a final season, and while it certainly appears to be a group effort, the Oxford, Miss., native expressed that the veterans decided individually.

"I feel like it was mostly on their own," Pegues said. "You really can't just go up to anyone and convince them to come back. I feel like this is a special place and they know we've got special guys here - and there's also special guys coming in."

Pegues was asked about Ole Miss' aspirations for the 2024 season in light of all the returning talent, but the senior explained that everyone in the building is focused on the Peach Bowl versus the Penn State Nittany Lions.

"We really haven't focused on [2024]," Pegues said. "We're really just focused on our next opponent, which is Penn State. I'll have to get back to you on that one, because we're locked in on this game."

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Pegues and the Rebels are set to take on Penn State in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Dec. 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT and the game will be televised on ESPN.