The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off their top-30 pre-draft visits on Thursday, hosting Ole Miss defensive tackle J.J. Pegues, along with two others, at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Pegues, 23, is believed to be an early Day 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after recording 110 tackles (51 solo), 10 sacks and five passes defensed over the past three seasons at Ole Miss.
Before transferring to Ole Miss in 2022, Pegues played for Auburn where he played two positions. As a freshman in 2020, Pegues played tight end and had seven receptions for 57 yards, while also rushing five times for 14 yards.
However, prior to the 2021 season, he converted to defensive tackle where he immediately had success, registering 16 tackles with two being for a loss in 13 games.
The 6-foot-2 1/2, 309-pound defensive tackle also performed well in testing at the NFL Combine, running a 5.15-second 40-yard dash, 1.82-second 10-yard split and 27.5-inch vertical jump.
The Steelers are able to host 30 visitors between now and the 2025 NFL Draft. Pegues was joined on Thursday by Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough and West Virginia guard/tackle Wyatt Milum, the first day of visitors. Milum will not count against the team’s 30 visit.
STEELERS 2025 PRE-DRAFT VISITOR TRACKER
Iowa State WR Jaylin Noel (reported)
Louisville QB Tyler Shough (March 6)
Ole Miss DT J.J. Pegues (March 6)
West Virginia OL Wyatt Milum (March 6) (exempt)