NFL Draft process a chance for Jared Ivey to prove he’s a ‘do-it-all’ DE and potential first-rounder
Jared Ivey considered leaving Ole Miss for the NFL Draft after last season.
He returned to the Rebels, who won 10 games for the third time in four years, for a number of reasons. Among his considerations was the lack of a Senior Bowl invite.
Ivey got one this year and after his best season as a Rebel. He started 11 of 12 games across the defensive line and was named third-team All-SEC. He’s one of nine Rebels listed in ESPN’s ‘Best Available’ prospects for April’s draft.
Ole Miss had the best rush defense in the nation and one of the best defenses in school history. Ivey and Co. led the NCAA and set new program records for sacks (52) and tackles for loss (120).
“The biggest thing is to prove I’m exactly who you see on tape,” Ivey said of the draft process in an interview with Draft Network. “I have the versatility needed to shine at every position I play across the entire defensive line. I can play standing up or with my hand in the dirt.
“I’m a do-it-all defensive lineman. I pride myself on being able to understand the game and my role at a high level. I play within the scheme and make plays — all the routine plays when called for.”
Ivey had a career-high 7.0 sacks last season.
He wrapped his Rebel career with 125 total tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, 16.0 sacks, 17 QB hurries, five fumble recoveries, four pass break-ups, three forced fumbles and one defensive touchdown.
Ivey is a one-time transfer from Georgia Tech. He appeared in 38 total games, including 30 starts, and finished ninth in Ole Miss history in total sacks (16.).
“I definitely see myself as an every-down player,” Ivey said. “I can stop the run from anywhere on the field. My first year at Ole Miss I played primarily on the edge. We were running like a 3-2 scheme. I played a lot of 4i, 6i and 5-technique.
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“My second season I played a lot of 4i and 3-technique while also playing some 5-tech and 6i. This past season I played a lot of wide-nine (and) a fair amount of 4i and took on a lot of double teams. I also played a good amount of 3-technique and 2i.
“My first year I rushed from the zero-nose. I’ve rushed from the 2i (and) I had a sack this year while playing 2i. I had sacks this year while playing 3-technique, wide-nine, and 5-technique. Every down run or pass, I can produce on every single down.”
Ivey earlier this month received a first-round projection from CBS.
He was off the board to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 31 overall.
Fellow Rebel defensive linemen Walter Nolen and Princely Umanmielen are drawing early-round consideration, too, as is cornerback Trey Amos. Ivey, Umanmielen, Amos, record-setting quarterback Jaxson Dart and kicker Caden Davis are all in the Senior Bowl.
Kickoff of the college all-star event is Saturday, February 1 at 1:30 p.m. CT on NFL Network.
“My coaching staff says I’m a lot like DeForest Buckner,” Ivey said. “Sometimes I hear Arik Armstead and Cam Heyward, true defensive ends. It’s a bit of a lost art in our game with the rise of the rush end and bringing linebackers downhill to play defensive end.
“I’m a true defensive end like those guys I mentioned who can slide inside and rush the quarterback effectively in these rush packages and overloads that everybody is doing nowadays. I’m also sturdy enough to defend the run down and quick enough to play wide-nine and 6i. I can set the edge.”
