Twenty-two Names to Know for the Ole Miss Season: No. 20 Chris Hardie

OXFORD, Miss. – As we lead up to week one in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for the kickoff of Ole Miss football’s 2024 season, The Rebel Walk team is highlighting one player each day. We’ll break down who they are, how they got here and what we expect from each.

Today, we take a look at the #20 player on our list, DE Chris Hardie.

Joining a defensive front that has been revamped from last year, it’s easy for some names to slip through the cracks, especially with high-profile names such as Princely Umanmielen and Walter Nolen on the roster. But even with a lot of those big names, Hardie still has a chance to be an impact pass rusher off the edge.

Now with preseason camp heating up, let’s take a look at DE Chris Hardie.

How did Chris Hardie arrive at Ole Miss?

Prior to entering the transfer portal this offseason, Hardie played for the Jacksonville State program as a member of the class of 2019. He played in a rotational role in 2021 and 2022 after redshirting his freshman year. However, Hardie became a starter for the Gamecocks in their final year of FCS where he led the team in sacks at 5.5 and helped the program achieve a 9-2 record and an Atlantic Sun conference championship.

This past season, Jacksonville State joined Conference USA. Hardie took no time at all to help Jacksonville State become players in the CUSA. Hardie finished the 2023 campaign 18th in the nation with 8.5 sacks which led CUSA. and placed the Jacksonville State defense as the sacks leader in the CUSA. He was a two-time CUSA Defensive Player of the week last season and earned First Team All CUSA honors.

After the season, Hardie entered the transfer portal and drew interest from several teams. He would take visits to UCF and Oklahoma before visiting Ole Miss and committing to Lane Kiffin, Pete Golding and company.

HOTTY TODDY EVERYBODY!!!!
I’m coming to the SIP🦈
Give me a follow on IG!!!!!!!!!!
LFG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #TransferToTheSip pic.twitter.com/BIxrfccr6A

— Chris Hardie (@ChrisHardie_7) May 27, 2024

Career Outlook

Hardie brings over a career 160 total tackles to the Ole Miss defensive front, a majority of which has come over the past two seasons. Even with making the jump from FCS to the FBS level, Hardie saw a real jump in statistical progression from 2022 to 2023. He went from 5.5 to 8.5 sacks, and from 36 to 60 total tackles.

This past season also saw Hardie grab his first interception which he returned for 58 yards. In 2023, Hardie showed a strong progression and adaptation to the CUSA. In his first six games of 2023, he collected 41 total tackles and logged 5 sacks in his final six games.

Ole Miss is getting a disruptive DL with range & power in Jax St transfer Chris Hardie. pic.twitter.com/AS20sPUxUo

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) May 29, 2024

Heading into 2024

The Ole Miss defensive front is the strongest it has been in recent memory (if not of all time) — at least in terms of perception in the preseason and into camp.  Hardie will be locked into competing for reps on the edge alongside the aforementioned Umanmielen, Jared Ivey, and freshman Kam Franklin.

Depending on where those reps lineup, Hardie is a specialist who can come in and make an impact. Standing at 6’2” and 265 pounds, Hardie can play with power and brings a tremendous motor. He plays til the whistle blows and excels at shooting into gaps or bullying his way into offensive lineman where his hand placement and burst get him into the backfield in a hurry.

With a lot of mouths to feed on that defensive line, Hardie can range from a rotational pass rusher to being a spot starter on the edge. With a majority of attention going to others on the defensive line, Hardie more than any other on the defensive line should have opportunities to attack 1-on-1s. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Hardie as an impact pass rusher, who can rotate in and be a force with his relentless pursuit and compact powerful build.

Camp Notes

According to Rebel Walk insider, Kam Wicker, Hardie stood out immediately on the first day of preseason camp. With limited media availability, Hardie making waves early in camp is a good sign as he tries to take another leap up in competition.

As mentioned earlier, Hardie is looking to compete with guys such as Jared Ivey, Princely Umanimielen, Kam Franklin, and others for time on the field. Our sources who saw Saturday’s scrimmage state that the defense has looked good in camp recently drawing significant praise from Lane Kiffin. We can assume the group up front could be a big reason as to why.

Who stood out on Day 1 of Ole Miss Preseason Camp?

Here’s eight according to @kam_wicker

• Rashad Amos (RB)
• Domonique Thomas (RB)
• Nate Kalepo (OL)
• Julius Buelow (OL)
• Walter Nolen (DL)
• Chris Hardie (DL)
• Isaiah Hamilton (DB)
• Trey Amos (DB)@TheRebelWalk pic.twitter.com/yiOdjJQCJ0

— T.J. (@TJOxley1) August 1, 2024