Ivan Pace Jr. (born December 16, 2000 in Cincinnati, Ohio) is an American football player at the linebacker position. He played college football for Miami University and the University of Cincinnati. Pace has been under contract with the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL) since 2023.
Pace grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended Colerain High School. As a high school football player, he received little attention, partly because of his smaller stature, and only received a scholarship offer from the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.[1][2]
From 2019 Pace went to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where he played college football for the Miami RedHawks. As a freshman, Pace, who had previously kept a low profile as a backup player, equaled the NCAA record six sacks in a game in the game against the Akron Zips on November 21, 2019. In the 2020 season, which was severely shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he played all three RedHawks games as a starter.[3][4] In the 2021 season, Pace had 125 tackles, including 13 for loss and four sacks and one interception. He was selected to the Mid-American Conference (MAC) All-Star selection.[1][2][5]
For the 2022 season, Pace decided to move to the University of Cincinnati to play for the Cincinnati Bearcats, and several teams from the Power Five were also interested in him. His one-year younger brother, with whom he had played in high school, also played as a linebacker for the Bearcats from 2020.[6] Pace recorded 137 tackles for Cincinnati in the 2022 season, including 21.5 for loss and 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. He became the first player in Bearcats history to be named an Unanimous All-American. In addition, Pace was named an AAC Defensive Player of the Year in addition to being named to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) All-Star Team and was a finalist in the Chuck Bednarik Award and Butkus Awards. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the top linebacker of the college football season.[7][8]
Despite his accomplishments in college, Pace was not considered one of the brightest prospects in the draft, particularly given his below-average height for a linebacker at approximately 5′ 10″.[9] He was undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft and was subsequently drafted as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings.[3] Pace was considered one of the best non-draft players.[10]
↑ a b Justin Williams: Ivan Pace Jr. earned his spot at Cincinnati by being more than meets the eye. In: The Athletic. 17 August 2022, retrieved 14 August 2023 (English). ↑ a b Vikings UDFA Profile: Cincinnati LB Ivan Pace Jr. on si.com. 26 June 2023, accessed 14 August 2023 (English). ↑ a b Mark Craig: Meet undrafted Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., who coaches say will make a preseason splash. In: Star Tribune. 4 August 2023, accessed 14 August 2023 (English).
↑ Ivan Pace Jr. on the Miami RedHawks website. Retrieved August 14, 2023 (English).
↑ Russ Heltman: First Team All-MAC Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. Enters Transfer Portal on si.com. 24 December 2021, accessed 14 August 2023 (English).
↑ Scott Springer: Ivan Pace Jr. transferring to Cincinnati, rejoining brother Deshawn on Bearcats football team. In: Cincinnati Enquirer. January 4, 2023, accessed August 14, 2023 (English).
↑ Zach Stipe: Pace Jr. Becomes First Unanimous All-American in UC History on the Cincinnati Bearcats website. December 14, 2022, retrieved August 14, 2023 (English).
↑ Ivan Pace Jr. on the Cincinnati Bearcats website. Retrieved August 14, 2023 (English).
↑ Russ Heltman: Ivan Pace Jr.: With A Little More Size ‘I Could Be A Top-Five Pick’ on si.com. March 1, 2023, accessed August 14, 2023 (English).
↑ Dane Brugler: The 2023 NFL Draft’s best undrafted players: Andre Carter II, Tyson Bagent and more. In: The Athletic. 30 April 2023, retrieved 14 August 2023 (English).
2023-08-14 18:55:28
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