Pair of Rebels’ Defenders Two of Highest Graded Players in Country

OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss has fielded one of the most dominant defenses through the first four weeks of the season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Highest Graded Defensive Players in College Football⭐️ pic.twitter.com/PjDAcWC4fa

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 26, 2024

Ole Miss will enter SEC play this week against Kentucky after playing a relatively easy non-conference slate which helped forge a 4-0 record overall. After giving up 13 points to Georgia Southern last week, that was the most the Rebels have given up to this point.

Senior defensive end Jared Ivey has been one of the more important pass rushers this season for an improved defensive team. He has posted eight tackles, two sacks and two tackles for loss this season despite missing last week against Georgia Southern.

Fellow defender Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul, Jr. has eased himself into the rotation at linebacker and is the graded out as the fifth highest defender in the country. The Arkansas transfer has forced 29 tackles, six for loss and two sacks this season.

Ole Miss Rebels defensive linemen Jared Ivey (15) reacts after a defensive stop during the first half against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

With Kentucky not known to produce high powered offenses, the Wildcats will depend on defense to keep them in the game. The Wildcats offense is near the bottom in total yards per game at 318 per game which ranks No. 15 out of 16 league members. Big Blue Nation hasn’t seen its team in the endzone much at all this fall only scoring 22 points per game.

Kentucky’s struggles could help Ole Miss pad its stellar defensive stats as the Rebels sit No. 12 in total defense, No. 1 in run defense and scoring defense at a shade over five points per contest.