Former Ole Miss defensive lineman Jared Ivey is tracking to make the 53-man roster for the Seattle Seahawks. 

Ivey, somewhat surprisingly, wasn’t selected in the seven-round NFL Draft in the spring. He had a Top 100 ranking by multiple services but didn’t test particularly well. 

CBS once projected him in the first round.

“It was a surprise, for sure,” Ivey said. “But you can’t go in there and build expectations in your mind. Either way, it was a blessing to be able to have an opportunity to come play for the Seahawks. 

“Coach [Chris] Partridge coached me at Ole Miss. He was my defensive coordinator, so kind of a connection there. He reached out in the middle rounds and was like, ‘I don’t know what’s going on, but if the unthinkable happens, we have a spot for you here.’ Wanted to link back up with CP.”

Patridge joined the Seahawks as outside linebackers coach in February of 2024. He was Ole Miss’ co-defensive coordinator for three seasons before taking over as Michigan linebackers coach in 2023.

Ivey recently wrapped a strong preseason.

He’s playing end and linebacker for the Seahawks after a three-year Ole Miss career strictly at end/tackle. Ivey had a team-leading six tackles (four solos) and 0.5 sacks against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday. His tackling grade was 76.1 (1-100 scale) and pressure rate was 65.4, according to Pro Football Focus.

Ivey was third-team All-SEC last season. He started 11 of the 12 games in which he appeared and recorded 42 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Ivey participated in the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine.

Ole Miss had the nation’s best rush defense 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).

“I have the versatility needed to shine at every position I play across the entire defensive line,” Ivey said in the pre-draft process. “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.

“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.”