Since joining the Bearcats last summer, Ivan Pace Jr. has become one of the best defensive players in the entire country. After an impressive start to his senior season thus far, Pace was recently included on The Athletic’s Midseason All-American First Team.
During his debut at Arkansas, the senior linebacker totaled a team-high 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Even though the Bearcats came up a touchdown short, it was abundantly clear that Pace was going to be a destructive force this season.
Pace currently leads the nation with 12.5 tackles for loss, to go with a team-best 62 total tackles and five sacks in six games. Following a dominant showing against Indiana in September, Pace was named AAC Defensive Player of the Week and deservedly so.
Ivan Pace Jr has been ELITE this season:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 15, 2022
⭐️ 92.0 Overall Grade (1st)
⭐️ 90.2 Run Defense Grade (3rd)
⭐️ 93.1 Pass Rush Grade (2nd)
⭐️ 43 Defensive Stops (1st) pic.twitter.com/dYGCRSjCLx
Cincinnati Football: Ivan Pace Jr. named to midseason All-American team
In the blowout win over Indiana a month ago, Pace was seemingly unstoppable en route to racking up 15 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. In addition to receiving weekly conference honors, Pace earned the Bednarik National Player of the Week.
The Cincinnati native was able to adjust to being in a new program and fits in well alongside a talented defense after spending three years at Miami. Pace led the MAC with 125 total tackles last season.
Following a bye week, the Bearcats return to action at SMU on Saturday at noon with a chance to stay unbeaten in conference play. Pace will look to make a significant impact as the team hopes to shut down an explosive offense and keep the win streak intact.