In 2013, he was traded to the New York Jets, where he saw an expanded role, eventually becoming the team's primary running back by 2014 and being named to the Pro Bowl in 2015.

Ivory earned letters in both football and track and field in high school at Longview High School in Longview, Texas, playing on the Lobos team that included future NFL players Trent Williams, Malcolm Kelly, and Robert Henson.

In Ivory's final year of college football, he had 39 rushes for 223 yards in five games before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

Walkosky attempted to obtain a medical redshirt exemption to allow Ivory to play another year, but this was unsuccessful.

[9] The Saints became interested in Ivory, despite his injuries, after one of their scouts was impressed by Walkosky's enthusiastic recommendations.

On March 16, 2010, Ivory attended Toledo's Pro Day and completed all of the combine and positional drills.

At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Ivory was projected to go undrafted by NFL draft experts and scouts.

On April 27, 2010, the New Orleans Saints signed Ivory as an undrafted free agent to a three-year, $1.22 million contract.

[13][14] Early season injuries to Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas left Ivory as the Saints' starting running back.

"[17] Ivory ended the regular season with 137 rushes for 716 yards, which led the team, and five touchdowns, but he also suffered repeated injuries during the year; after a foot injury in the Saints' last regular season game, he was placed on the injured reserve list and was unable to play in the postseason.

[22][23][24] In May 2012, the Saints paid Ivory an additional signing bonus to make up for the income he lost on the PUP list.

[32] On September 7, 2014, he had a 71-yard touchdown run as part of a 102-yard performance against the Oakland Raiders in the season opener.