Jared Ivey, EDGE – Ole Miss Rebels
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 275 lbs
Class: Senior (2025 NFL Draft Prospect)
Introduction
Jared Ivey has been one of the most exciting pass rushers for the Ole Miss Rebels, showcasing a blend of athleticism, size, and raw power that stands out on film. As a key defensive player for the Rebels, Ivey’s potential to impact the NFL as an EDGE rusher in the 2025 Draft is undeniable. With excellent physical traits, motor, and a developing pass-rushing technique, he has the potential to make an immediate impact at the next level. This scouting report will cover his strengths, weaknesses, and overall evaluation based on his performance at Ole Miss and potential fit in the NFL.
Physical Tools and Athleticism
At 6’5” and 275 pounds, Ivey possesses a prototypical EDGE rusher frame that teams covet at the next level. His length is especially impressive—offering long arms and a solid wingspan that allows him to shed blockers effectively. His weight is ideal for a modern-day EDGE defender, with enough bulk to hold up at the point of attack against the run while still having the quickness and flexibility to generate pressure as a pass rusher.
Ivey has above-average explosiveness off the line of scrimmage, which allows him to get a jump on blockers, particularly in pass-rush situations. He accelerates quickly and has an efficient first step that can trouble offensive tackles, particularly in one-on-one situations. He’s not necessarily a burner in terms of top-end speed, but his quickness and burst make him an effective rusher on the outside and allow him to bend the corner against slower-footed offensive tackles.
Pass-Rush Ability
Ivey’s best trait is his ability to disrupt the pocket as a pass rusher. His combination of power, quickness, and length makes him a challenging matchup for most tackles. Over his time at Ole Miss, Ivey has shown an ability to generate consistent pressure, both as a stand-up rusher and with his hand in the dirt. His motor is relentless, and he never stops pursuing the quarterback, often forcing quarterbacks into uncomfortable situations.
While he has solid burst and speed off the edge, Ivey has shown some rawness in his pass-rush technique that needs refining. He relies heavily on a speed-to-power move, using his strength to bull rush and collapse the pocket. However, there are instances where he telegraphs his moves, making it easier for offensive linemen to anticipate his next step. As he refines his pass-rushing arsenal, he can add more moves to keep tackles off balance—like a more consistent spin move, inside counters, or better hand placement to disengage blockers.
Ivey’s hand usage is still a work in progress. While he has the ability to keep blockers at bay with his long arms, he can struggle to disengage quickly if his initial rush is stymied. Improving his hand technique will be crucial for his development as a pass rusher at the NFL level, where blockers will be quicker and more skilled than those he faced in college.
Run Defense
Ivey has demonstrated solid run defense ability, especially when lined up on the edge. His length and size help him maintain good leverage against offensive linemen, and he has a strong ability to disengage from blockers to make plays in the backfield. He is difficult to move off the ball in the run game and can hold his ground against larger offensive tackles, which is crucial for any three-down defensive lineman at the next level.
That said, his ability to control the edge and set the edge against the run is still a work in progress. He can struggle with consistency in terms of disengaging from blockers when defending the run. While his power is solid, his technique on the edge can sometimes lack the discipline required to effectively shed blocks. Against stronger, more refined blockers at the NFL level, he will need to refine his hand placement, balance, and pad level in order to disengage with more regularity.
Additionally, Ivey’s ability to locate the ball on running plays can be inconsistent at times. He will occasionally lose track of the ball carrier when defending the edge, which can lead to missed tackles or being out of position. This is an area where he must improve to become a more complete player.
Football IQ and Awareness
Ivey has a strong football IQ, with a good understanding of how to leverage his physical traits in both the pass rush and the run game. He is aware of where the ball is on the field and has a solid understanding of his assignments. His awareness and intelligence in coverage situations have been solid, though he isn’t often asked to drop into coverage. In passing situations, he can read the quarterback’s movements and identify when to close in on the signal caller.
His understanding of schemes, including both 3-4 and 4-3 defensive alignments, is solid. He has had experience playing multiple roles, from stand-up linebacker to hand-in-the-dirt edge rusher, and he has shown a good adaptability to different defensive fronts. This versatility will be an asset when transitioning to the NFL, where teams often value players who can operate in multiple defensive schemes.
Work Ethic and Motor
One of Ivey’s most promising qualities is his relentless motor. He plays with a high level of energy and passion, often chasing down plays that initially seem out of reach. His motor and willingness to fight through adversity are traits that NFL coaches love to see in their edge defenders. His effort allows him to consistently be around the ball, which could translate to strip-sack opportunities or forcing quarterbacks into rushed decisions.
While his motor is typically a strength, there are times when he gets a bit too eager and his technique suffers. He will occasionally over-commit to a rush or a play and find himself out of position, but this is more of an issue of experience and discipline than a lack of effort.
Weaknesses and Areas for Improvement
- Pass-Rush Technique: Ivey is a bit raw in his pass-rush moves, relying heavily on his physicality rather than a deep arsenal of pass-rush moves. Developing more variety in his rush plan will be key for him to have success at the next level.
- Hand Usage: His hand placement and ability to disengage from blockers need significant improvement. While he can bull rush effectively, he struggles to disengage from offensive linemen once he is stymied, which can limit his impact on passing plays.
- Edge Containment: Ivey sometimes struggles to consistently set the edge in the run game. He can be moved off the ball by strong offensive tackles or tight ends and needs to improve his leverage and hand placement when defending the run.
- Missed Tackles: Ivey can struggle to consistently finish plays, especially in situations where he is forced to make an open-field tackle or when tracking the ball carrier. He needs to become more consistent in this area to avoid missed opportunities and to limit big plays.
- Consistency: While Ivey flashes elite potential, there are periods in games where his impact fades. Developing more consistency in both his technique and effort will be vital for him to reach his full potential in the NFL.
NFL Projection
Ivey’s combination of size, athleticism, and motor will make him a highly sought-after prospect for teams looking for an edge rusher. He has the physical tools to develop into a starting-caliber player in the NFL, but he may need a year or two of refinement to truly reach his ceiling.
Ivey projects as a player who could work well as a 3-4 outside linebacker or a 4-3 defensive end. His versatility in terms of scheme fit is an advantage, as he can be used in multiple ways to generate pressure. In his first few seasons, Ivey may serve as a rotational pass rusher while developing his technique. As his pass-rush arsenal expands and he refines his game, he has the potential to be a double-digit sack performer at the next level.
Final Thoughts
Jared Ivey is an exciting 2025 NFL Draft prospect with immense upside. His size, strength, and athleticism give him a high ceiling, but he must continue to refine his pass-rush technique, hand usage, and run defense to become a more complete player. Teams in need of an edge rusher who can develop into a true disruptor will have their eye on Ivey, especially if he can continue his progression as a senior at Ole Miss.
His potential to become a productive starting EDGE in the NFL is certainly there, and with the right coaching and development, Ivey could emerge as a key contributor in the NFL within the next few years.
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