OXFORD, miss. – As we prepare for the first week at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to kick off the 2024 Ole Miss football season, The Rebel Gang Each day, the team will highlight one player for our Ole Miss 22 rankings, explaining who they are, how they got here and what we expect from each one.
Today we look at player No. 8 on the list, Defensive End: Jared Ivey.
Ivey will be the starting pitcher for Ole Miss this fall and will look to improve his chances in the NFL Draft while pursuing a national championship with his teammates.
There are 15 days until Ole Miss football!
That’s just days away from Jared Ivey, an NFL-ready pass rusher with impressive length who converts speed into power.
Defensive MVP of the Peach Bowl. Take a look back at the moment a forced fumble sealed the win against UK.
pic.twitter.com/xLnfdRxkOM pic.twitter.com/hSTuFk3PSz— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) 16 August 2024
How did Jared Ivey come to Ole Miss?
A member of the 2020 recruiting class, Jared Ivey played high school football at North Gwinnett in Suwanee, Georgia, an hour outside of Atlanta. Coming out of high school, he was rated as a 4-star prospect and was the 15th weakside defensive end and 33rd overall athlete in the state in his recruiting class. He was recruited by the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, where he became a crucial part of their defense during his two years there.
He was ranked as one of the top 30 recruits in Georgia Tech history by 247Sports. The dual-sport athlete also received scholarship offers to play Division I college basketball.
When Ivey decided to transfer from Georgia Tech for the 2022 season, it didn’t take long for the portal king, Lane Kiffin, built a relationship with him and received a commitment from the great man.
#ComeToTheSip 🦈 @Lane_Kiffin pic.twitter.com/b7FsihLb7M
— JI5 (@jared_ivey1595) January 30, 2022
Jared talked about the culture at Ole Miss and joining the Rebels.
Jared Ivey on his move here: “I think it just speaks to the culture that the guys here already had. They welcomed us and showed us how things should be done. I’m very grateful to Coach Joyner and Coach Kiffin.”
— The Rebel Walk (@TheRebelWalk) December 30, 2023
Career prospects
During his time at Georgia Tech, Ivey settled in as a freshman and was used in a rotation role, recording eight total tackles over the course of the year.
In his sophomore year at Georgia Tech, Jared took his game to a whole new level, recording 32 total tackles, forcing a fumble, defending a pass, and collecting 1.5 sacks. At 6’6″ and 280 pounds, it was clear Ivey was ready for SEC football.
At Oxford: Since arriving in Oxford, Jared’s presence on the field has made a significant impact on Ole Miss’ defense. In 2022, he played in all 13 games, started seven times on the defensive line that first season, and played a total of 562 snaps on the defensive line. He recorded 37 total tackles, including 15 solo, and posted 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble
Then, in the final season in 2023, the Peach Bowl Defensive MVP played in all 13 games and started 12 times as a key member of Ole Miss’ defensive line. Ivey led the Rebels with 11.5 TFL and was tied for the team leader with 5.5 sacks. He set career highs in tackles (46), TFL and sacks, added two fumble recoveries and a pass breakup, and returned one of his fumble recoveries 26 yards for a touchdown against Tulane – forever known as the “Thick Six.”
Peach Bowl Defensive MVP: Most recently, Ivey ended the year with a bang in the Peach Bowl against Penn State, where he collected five tackles and recovered a fumble for the Rebels, earning him the Defensive MVP award for his performance.
Defensive MVP 🍑🏆@jared_ivey1595 | #HotToddy pic.twitter.com/gG48bxpfOv
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 30, 2023
Here’s a look at some of his key plays that helped Ole Miss destroy Penn State. In this first clip, Ivey pressures Penn State QB Drew Allar and forces him to throw a flop pass. It was only the second interception Allar has thrown all season.
Quacks 🦆@daijahn5 | ESPN pic.twitter.com/pDqII59imr
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 30, 2023
Here Ivey recovers a fumble forced by Akelo Stone and thus decides the game.
OUR BALL 😁
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/QR0fOpXheG
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 30, 2023
From all of this, it is clear that Ivey’s skill, versatility and leadership will be dynamic for Ole Miss’ defensive line this fall.
On the way to 2024
Ole Miss fans were certainly happy when Ivey announced he would return for a “Last Dance” season in 2024.
Bring it back.#hotToddy pic.twitter.com/LxuGJ0krAZ
— JI5 (@jared_ivey1595) December 12, 2023
Ivey will play this season in a defensive line that consists of several ambitious and experienced future NFL players, such as Princely Umanmielen, JJ Pegues, Walter Nolen, Akelo Stone, and many others. His consistent, intelligent play and leadership skills will be important as the new and returning players continue to gel together.
Ivey practiced against an Ole Miss offensive line that has improved greatly since last season. Given the competition he faces in daily practice and the reinforcements he will have on the defensive line, Ivey should have an incredible final season in Oxford.
Fans should have no doubt that number 15 can be reckoned with on offense.
Next
The Rebel Gang will be back this Monday with more training and press conference reports. Stay tuned for more! Hotty Toddy.
Zach Moreth
Zach is a freshman at Ole Miss studying Sports Administration. When he’s not watching and playing sports, he enjoys spending time with his loved ones and being active. I’m excited to help cover our amazing Ole Miss sports teams!
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