Derek Pegues

Pegues had tryouts with the NFL's Chicago Bears in 2009 and the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2011 but failed to make either roster. He spent the 2012 season with the Iowa Barnstormers

Pegues was selected to play in the 5th annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas on January 15, 2005. The game pits the nation's best high school seniors against one another in an East-vs.-West matchup. Pegues, a member of the West squad, was one of three Mississippians who played in the game, the most ever in the same year (the other two were Jerrell Powe, a former Ole Miss signee, and Josh McNeil, currently the starting Center for the Tennessee Volunteers). Powe, McNeil and Pegues joined a star-studded West line-up, including names like Travis Beckum, Jamaal Charles, DeSean Jackson, Rey Maualuga, Ryan Perriloux, Ryan Reynolds, Mark Sanchez, Reggie Smith and Jonathan Stewart, helping the West claim the victory, 35-3.

Later that year, Pegues would guide another team to an All-Star game victory. Pegues played Running Back in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Football Classic, which annually pits the best players from each state against one another. The game was held at its annual location, Ladd–Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama, on June 4, 2005 (formerly a summer contest, it has since been moved to December).

As a senior, Pegues again guided the Tigers to a perfect season (15-0) in 2004 with a second consecutive 5A State Championship (the school's 4th) and another top-ten finish in USA Today's "Super 25" high school football rankings (#7). He was instrumental in the Tigers' 39-21 State Championship Game victory over Ocean Springs High School as he rushed for 244 yards and 5 touchdowns. No player before or since has scored 5 touchdowns in the Class 5A Championship Game. Pegues was again named First-Team All-State by the Clarion-Ledger, along with teammates Travis Sanford, a Wide Receiver who signed with the Ole Miss Rebels, and John Jerry, currently a starting Offensive Guard at Ole Miss. He finished his high school career with a total of 4,104 rushing yards and 86 total touchdowns (passing, rushing, receiving, kick and punt returns and interception returns).

Prior to his 2004 senior season, Rivals.com reported that Pegues could bench press an impressive 350 lb. and run a blazing 4.4-second 40-yard dash. These numbers affirmed his talent as indicated by his accomplishments on the field and helped him earn scholarship offers from such elite college football programs as Alabama, Michigan, Auburn, Tennessee and Louisiana State in addition to Mississippi State.

As a junior, Pegues was moved to Quarterback to replace departed starter Rickey Wright, who had signed a letter of intent to play football at Mississippi State. In his first season at the helm of the Tigers' offense as a junior (2003), Pegues guided the team to a 15-0 record, the Class 5A State Championship and a #9 national ranking from USA Today. South Panola routed previously unbeaten Oak Grove High School 33-14 in the 5A title game. Pegues received First-Team All-State recognition from the Clarion-Ledger newspaper along with teammates Jamarca Sanford and Peria Jerry, who went on to standout college careers at the University of Mississippi and played in the NFL.

Started all 13 games at Free Safety on defense. Recorded 50 tackles, two tackles for a loss, recovered a fumble, deflected seven passes and intercepted five. His 20-yard interception return for a touchdown against Auburn was the difference in the game, which Mississippi State won for the first time since 2000. Also started all 13 games as a kick and punt return specialist. Returned 24 kickoffs an average of 22.7 yards, including a long of 51. Returned 27 punts for an average of 9.9 yards, including a long of 75, which resulted in a touchdown that tied the 2007 Egg Bowl in the fourth quarter, allowing MSU to win the game on a last-second field goal. Was voted to the All-SEC First Team by the Associated Press and Second Team by the SEC Coaches. He intercepted two passes on his way to an MVP performance in the 2007 AutoZone Liberty Bowl that helped his team win a defensive struggle over UCF by a score of 10-3.

Derek Alan Pegues (born September 14, 1986) is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent.