Teaser: Ole Miss football’s Jared Ivey joining OMSpirit with weekly ‘Ivey League’ podcast

Jared Ivey, this year, will have spent as many seasons in an Ole Miss uniform as AJ Brown, Matt Corral and a number of other all-time Rebel football greats.

He’s been a centerpiece, and leader, for a resurgent program under now-fifth-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin, early on in his Ole Miss career, adopted a transfer-heavy recruiting approach. The result? An Ivey-led nucleus that delivered Ole Miss its first 11-win season in history in 2023-24.

So, what’s a three-year-starting EDGE for the Rebels, and budding NFL talent, got to do to get some all-time-great consideration around here?

He’s already taken the biggest step. Ivey, and a host of others, announced in December they were putting off the NFL to run it back with the Rebels and chase a championship next season. 

The College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams in 2024-25. Ole Miss was ranked in the Top 10 in each of the last three seasons. Twice in the last four the Rebels appeared in New Year’s Six bowl games.

“I just wanted to run it back with the guys,” Ivey said, in announcing his podcast partnership with the Ole Miss Spirit on Wednesday. 

His Spirit-exclusive show, ’Ivey League,’ will debut Thursday, February 15. New episodes weekly.

“The way we ended last season, we ended on such a high, it made everybody feel like we were real contenders and could make history again and get a ring. I wanted to be a part of that. I thought another year on top of what I’ve already done in college football could help me expand my game and be better for the next level.”

‘Ivey League’ is powered by RiverLand Roofing, and will work in association with the Ole Miss Spirit.

Ivey each week will provide a truly unique, inside perspective on your Ole Miss Rebels, as well as break down the latest college football news and storylines.

Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul, a transfer linebacker from Arkansas, is scheduled as his first guest. He was one of 17 transfers added by the Rebels in the fall and the first of two transfer portal waves. He’s already on campus and will go through spring practices.

“I wanted to be around a winning culture, as well as a group of guys who love the game as much as me,” Paul said recently, in explaining his decision to leave the SEC-rival Razorbacks and join the Rebels. 

Paul was one of 31 mid-year enrollees, including 17 transfers, for the Rebels this month. Ole Miss signed the third-best portal class in the nation, according to On3. Among the headliners was Florida’s Princely Umanmielen, the portal’s No. 1 EDGE.

“Super excited. He’s a hell of a player,” Ivey said. “I’ve looked at some of his tape. He’s definitely a guy that will help us win. I’m super excited about that.”

Ivey answered questions from Spirit subscribers in the included ‘Ivey League’ teaser.

Additional topics range from Ivey’s preference in position (EDGE or defensive tackle?), to the toughest 1-on-1 offensive line matchup he’s faced in college. 

“I grew up playing defensive end,” Ivey said. “So, I feel like, naturally, that’s what I see myself as. But the past couple of years, transitioning into playing both, I see the bright side of both. I love playing both.”

Even more, Ivey names the best basketball player on the football team. Spoiler: He’s an undersized four and may host the soon-to-debut ‘Ivey League’ podcast.

He also gives his early impressions of Kam Franklin and other newcomers. Franklin is a 2024 signee and was Mississippi’s top-ranked recruit.

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