Jared Ivey evaluates Ole Miss' comfort level in Pete Golding's scheme

As Ole Miss gears up for a potential playoff run, the real key is making sure that several newcomers this spring are able to get up to speed as quickly as possible.

The Rebels had one of the best transfer portal hauls in the country, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. And there’s an added benefit this year that should help the new guys get up to speed even quicker: It’s the second year in the scheme under defensive coordinator Pete Golding.

“The boys were just talking about this the other day,” veteran Jared Ivey said on the Andy Staples On3 show. “A couple of the guys from last year are training for their Pro Day. I was talking to Stephon Wynn about this, just about us like having, I think we’re a deeper room this year, we’re a deeper D-line room this year.

“But just our knowledge of our own scheme, like our comfortability within our own scheme and being able to get the newer guys up to speed quicker because we already know it, nothing is fresh, nothing is new. I think it’s going to make us just so much better as a group.”

The Ole Miss defense was just so-so a year ago, though it was one of the more respectable scoring defenses in the country. The Rebels ranked No. 34 in scoring defense, but just No. 68 in total defense, No. 71 in rushing defense and No. 75 in passing defense.

That was in the first year under Golding’s tutelage, though. There could be a significant jump this fall. Especially if the transfers can integrate quickly.

Among those transfers are Florida defensive end Princely Umanmielen, Texas A&M defensive tackle Walter Nolen, South Alabama cornerback Yam Banks, Alabama cornerback Trey Amos and others.

The goal is to turn into a group that can shut opposing offenses down, knowing Jaxson Dart and the Ole Miss offense should be able to score on just about anybody.

After all, this is a team with playoff ambitions.

For Ivey and company, that means continued development in the spring is not just a goal, but a necessity.

“So yeah, we’re taking it day by day and everybody’s putting in the time to stay in their playbooks and PG’s made it super simple,” Ivey said. “So yeah, everybody’s really getting a grasp of it.”