Auburn football is really starting to feel the transfer portal’s powers now with yet another massive (figurative and literal) loss.
J.J. Pegues officially entered his name into the portal late on Monday afternoon for those just coming out of work to feel the sting once the time card was punched out.
The loss comes right after the defections of Lee Hunter and Caylin Newton the past two days. This off-season’s good news certainly came first for the defense this winter with a string of upperclassmen Tigers all announcing their returns in recent weeks.
As for Pegues’ next destination, many are jumping to conclusions about Ole Miss being the school to land the former tight end:
The former @ohschargers standout could be returning home to finish out his college career. https://t.co/roGBJGu6fz
— Jake Thompson (@JakeThompsonOn3) January 17, 2022
https://t.co/KNykTeEX5a pic.twitter.com/GTFo6ZrVTb
— Hunter Bullard (@hunterbullard02) January 17, 2022
👀 He’s coming back home to the Sip 🔴🔵 https://t.co/K3wAv33zoo
— Cody Gazaway (@CodyGazaway1) January 17, 2022
— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) January 17, 2022
Of course, UCF always looms as a transfer option for anyone recruited to the Plains during the Gus Malzahn era as well.
Pegues was switched from TE to the DL under Bryan Harsin, and the six-foot-three, 308-lb juggernaut adjusted well, finishing with 16 tackles (11 of them solo tackles) with two being for a loss.
Ultimately, though, this one could be as simple as the big man wanting to return home. It’s not particularly hard to blame him right now, either.
There’s plenty of reasons to see the Rebels as an appealing option right now. The team is aggressively progressing under Lane Kiffin each season and just had their greatest season in school history.
We’d be remiss not to send Pegues one last ‘War Eagle’ as he navigates the rest of his college football career after two fruitful seasons with Auburn football.