Last Updated on November 5, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
JJ Pegues is an American professional football player who plays as a defensive tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Beyond his football career, Pegues comes from a supportive family with strong connections to athletics and the community of Oxford, Mississippi.
Born Jeremiah J’veon Pegues on November 25, 2001, he is the son of Jerry Pegues and Allison Pegues. His father previously played college football, while his sister, Jakayla Pegues, is identified in his official Auburn University athletics biography.
Family has played an important role in JJ’s development, particularly his close relationship with his father, whose football career inspired him to pursue the sport and wear jersey number 89.
Here is everything publicly known about JJ Pegues’s family, including his girlfriend, children, parents and siblings.
JJ Pegues’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
JJ Pegues has maintained considerable privacy regarding his romantic relationships. Although he has previously been associated with a girlfriend, there is no reliable public confirmation identifying his current romantic partner.
In a November 2020 article published by Saturday Down South, his former Oxford High School football coach, Chris Cutcliffe, recalled an occasion when Pegues and his girlfriend visited his home.
According to Cutcliffe, the couple unexpectedly arrived with cookies for his children, demonstrating Pegues’s thoughtful personality and the close relationships he maintained with people who had supported his athletic development.
The article did not identify the girlfriend by name, and no reliable subsequent reporting has established whether that relationship continued.
Since entering professional football, Pegues has generally focused his public interviews on his career, family background and charitable activities rather than his dating life.
There is also no verified public announcement confirming that he is married.
Consequently, although an earlier relationship is documented, his current relationship status remains unconfirmed.
JJ Pegues’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
There is no verified public information confirming that JJ Pegues has children.
The Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle has not publicly identified a son or daughter in his official NFL biography or widely reported interviews.
While Pegues is known for his involvement in activities supporting children and young people in Mississippi, these initiatives do not establish that he has children of his own.
For example, during his time at Ole Miss, he organized school supply giveaways and participated in community programs designed to help local elementary school students.
These activities reflect his commitment to supporting young people in his hometown rather than providing information about his personal parental status.
Therefore, whether JJ Pegues has children remains unconfirmed.
JJ Pegues’s Parents
JJ Pegues’s parents are Jerry Pegues and Allison Pegues. Both are identified in the official athletics biographies published by Auburn University and the University of Mississippi.
His parents supported his development as a student-athlete in Oxford, Mississippi, where he attended high school before pursuing college football.
JJ Pegues’s Father: Jerry Pegues
JJ Pegues’s father is Jerry Pegues, a former college football player who became one of the most significant influences on his son’s athletic career.
Jerry played football at Arkansas State University, where he competed as a tight end.
According to historical college football records, Jerry appeared in 22 games during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, recording 26 receptions for 294 yards and four touchdowns.
Like his son, Jerry was associated with jersey number 89, which became an important family tradition.
JJ later explained that he deliberately wore the same number during high school and college to honor his father’s football achievements and the sacrifices Jerry made for him.
During an August 2024 interview about receiving the Chucky Mullins Courage Award at Ole Miss, Pegues discussed the significance of maintaining that connection.
He explained that his father had worn number 89 in college and that continuing to wear the same number was his way of showing appreciation for Jerry’s influence.
The family connection became particularly meaningful when JJ received permission to wear two different jersey numbers during his final season at Ole Miss.
He wore number 38 during home games to honor former Ole Miss player Chucky Mullins, while continuing to wear number 89 during away games in recognition of his father.
Jerry had also been an accomplished high school athlete in Oxford, participating in both football and basketball.
In a student newspaper article published by Oxford High School, Jerry discussed watching his son compete in the same sports programs he had represented during his own school years.
He expressed pride in JJ’s achievements and emphasized his commitment to supporting his son’s athletic ambitions.
Their shared experiences in football helped create a strong father-son connection that continued throughout JJ’s college career.
JJ Pegues’s Mother: Allison Pegues
JJ Pegues’s mother is Allison Pegues, who helped raise him in Oxford, Mississippi.
Her identity is confirmed in the official athletics biographies maintained by Auburn University and Ole Miss.
Although Allison has generally remained outside the public spotlight, she has supported her son’s athletic development and participated in important moments throughout his football career.
One particularly meaningful occasion occurred in August 2024, when JJ received the Chucky Mullins Courage Award.
Following the announcement, Ole Miss athletics staff documented Pegues sharing the news with his parents.
The award represented a major achievement for the family because JJ had grown up in Oxford hearing stories about Mullins and his legacy at the University of Mississippi.
Pegues explained that his family had spoken highly of the award for many years, making the recognition particularly special.
Allison’s role in supporting her son has been part of the broader family encouragement JJ has acknowledged throughout his athletic journey.
However, detailed information about her occupation, educational background and personal interests has not been widely reported.
JJ Pegues’s Siblings: Meet His Sister
JJ Pegues has one publicly identified sibling, a sister named Jakayla Pegues.
Auburn University’s official football biography identifies Jakayla as his sister, although detailed information about her personal life has not been widely covered by national sports publications.
Jakayla Pegues: JJ Pegues’s Sister
Jakayla Pegues is the sister of Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle JJ Pegues.
Her name is documented in Auburn University’s official player biography, which identifies JJ as the son of Jerry and Allison Pegues and lists Jakayla as his sister.
Jakayla has maintained a considerably lower public profile than her brother, whose football career has attracted attention from college and professional sports media.
Publicly available information about Jakayla’s personal relationships and professional plans remains limited.
The official university records do not provide her exact date of birth or establish whether she is older or younger than JJ.
Although the family has a strong athletic background, there is insufficient verified information to describe Jakayla’s personal sporting achievements in detail.
Auburn’s records identify Jakayla as JJ’s sister, but do not provide enough information to establish whether he has any additional siblings.
JJ Pegues’s Extended Family: His Cousin Malaki Pegues
JJ Pegues also has a publicly confirmed cousin who pursued college football: Malaki Pegues.
Malaki is a defensive football player from Oxford, Mississippi, who attended Oxford High School before joining Troy University.
Born on March 3, 2005, Malaki developed into a talented high school defensive lineman and earned first-team All-State recognition.
He joined the Troy Trojans football program in 2023 and appeared in five games during his freshman season.
According to his official Troy University athletics biography, Malaki is a cousin of JJ Pegues.
The relationship highlights the broader family’s involvement in American football and its connection to athletic programs in Mississippi.
During a November 2022 interview, JJ also mentioned having cousins who had played football for Ole Miss and Mississippi State, demonstrating how college football rivalries had become part of his family’s sporting traditions.
JJ Pegues’s Childhood and Family Background
JJ Pegues was born and raised in Oxford, Mississippi, a community with strong connections to college football through the University of Mississippi.
Growing up in Oxford, he developed an early passion for athletics, particularly football and basketball.
His father’s experiences as a former college football player provided an important example during his childhood.
JJ attended Oxford High School, where he became one of Mississippi’s most highly regarded football prospects.
He played several positions on offense and defense, demonstrating unusual athletic versatility for a player of his size.
During the 2019 season, Pegues helped lead Oxford High School to the Mississippi Class 6A state football championship.
His performances earned him a place on the Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen list and recognition as one of the state’s leading high school recruits.
He also participated in basketball, continuing the two-sport tradition established by his father.
After completing high school, Pegues committed to Auburn University, where he began his college football career in 2020.
Although Ole Miss was located in his hometown, JJ initially chose to leave Mississippi to pursue a different college experience.
He spent two seasons at Auburn before transferring to Ole Miss in 2022, allowing him to return to the community where he had grown up.
How JJ Pegues’s Family Influenced His Football Career
JJ Pegues’s family, particularly his father Jerry, helped establish his passion for football from an early age.
Because Jerry had previously played the sport at the college level, JJ grew up with a direct understanding of the discipline required to succeed as a competitive athlete.
His father’s example influenced both his playing style and his decision to wear jersey number 89.
JJ began his college career at Auburn as a tight end before transitioning to the defensive line in 2021.
After transferring to Ole Miss, he developed into one of the team’s most versatile players.
During the 2024 season, Pegues recorded 42 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while also contributing on offense.
He rushed for seven touchdowns that season, an unusual achievement for a defensive tackle.
His performances helped him earn All-SEC recognition and the 2024 Chucky Mullins Courage Award.
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Pegues in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft with the 180th overall pick.
His selection represented the fulfillment of a professional football ambition that had developed during his childhood in Oxford.
JJ Pegues’s Family Values and Community Involvement
JJ Pegues has frequently emphasized the importance of helping others and giving back to the community that supported his development.
During his time at Ole Miss, he organized the JJ Pegues School Supply Giveaway, which provided educational supplies to children in the Lafayette-Oxford-University area.
He also participated in school visits and other volunteer activities designed to encourage young students.
His efforts earned recognition from the Southeastern Conference, which selected him for its Community Service Team in 2023 and 2024.
Pegues was also named to the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, recognizing his contributions beyond football.
When discussing his charitable activities, Pegues regularly acknowledged the importance of his family and hometown in shaping the person he had become.
His decision to return to Ole Miss after beginning his college career at Auburn also reflected his desire to represent Oxford and contribute to the community.
Frequently Asked Questions About JJ Pegues’s Family
Who is JJ Pegues’s girlfriend?
A 2020 Saturday Down South profile mentioned that JJ Pegues had a girlfriend at the time, but did not identify her by name. His current relationship status has not been reliably confirmed.
Is JJ Pegues married?
There is no verified public announcement confirming that JJ Pegues is married.
Does JJ Pegues have children?
There is no reliable public information establishing that JJ Pegues has children.
Who is JJ Pegues’s father?
His father is Jerry Pegues, a former college football tight end who played for Arkansas State University and wore jersey number 89.
Who is JJ Pegues’s mother?
His mother is Allison Pegues, whose name is confirmed in official Auburn University and Ole Miss athletics biographies.
How many siblings does JJ Pegues have?
JJ Pegues has one publicly identified sibling, his sister Jakayla Pegues. The available official records do not establish whether he has additional siblings.
Who is JJ Pegues’s sister?
His sister is Jakayla Pegues, who is identified in his official Auburn University football biography.
Is Malaki Pegues related to JJ Pegues?
Yes. Malaki Pegues, who played college football at Troy University, is JJ Pegues’s cousin, according to Troy’s official athletics biography.
What is JJ Pegues’s real name?
His full name is Jeremiah J’veon Pegues.
When was JJ Pegues born?
JJ Pegues was born on November 25, 2001.
Where is JJ Pegues’s family from?
JJ Pegues grew up in Oxford, Mississippi, where his family has longstanding connections to local high school athletics.
Why did JJ Pegues wear number 89?
He wore number 89 to honor his father, Jerry Pegues, who had worn the same number while playing college football.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
