Jared Ivey praises new Ole Miss Rebel DL Chris Hardie

Jared Ivey was an electrifying player for Ole Miss Rebels defensive coordinator Pete Golding in 2023, recording 5.5 sacks and being a constant threat on big plays like his scoop-and-score against Tulane. Now he was able to boast about some new additions to the defensive line at SEC Media Days on Monday.

Chris Hardie made his way to campus through Jacksonville State’s portal, and Ivey believes Hardie’s experience and versatility in the game will give the Rebels a big boost in 2024.

“He’s played so many positions,” Ivey said. “I think it can only be a benefit to a team to have a player that has that much experience, no matter what league, and knows what it’s like to win and make big plays. I’m really excited to be on the field with Chris.”

Ivey was also asked about last season’s Georgia game, which was a blowout win for the Bulldogs in Athens. Head coach Lane Kiffin has cited that loss as motivation for his team’s assault on the transfer portal this offseason, and Ivey believes Ole Miss can turn that negative into a positive going forward.

“Obviously, that wasn’t a performance that we felt was representative of us as a team,” Ivey said, “but I think we’re focused on the next play and just want to keep going and be better after that. We finished the season great after a loss like that and making something great out of it is our team’s philosophy.”

That’s the mentality a veteran like Hardie should encourage in the Oxford locker room this season. He’s listed as a 6-foot-2, 270-pound edge rusher, but could also see some interior play due to his athleticism and size.

Names like Ivey and Princely Umanmielen will make headlines, but Chris Hardie could emerge as a weapon in both the running and passing game for Ole Miss in that crucial 2024 season.