Cincinnati Football: Bearcats senior linebacker Ivan Pace Jr nominated for Bednarik Award

Cincinnati Bearcats senior linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was revealed as a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is scheduled to be presented next month to the nation’s best defensive player.

Pace is nominated for the prestigious award alongside Alabama linebacker and edge rusher Will Anderson Jr. and USC defensive tackle Tuli Tuipulotu. The winner will be announced December 8.

Even though he’s up against steep competition, Pace has a chance to collect the Bednarik Award following a dominant campaign with 120 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.

During his first season at Cincinnati, the senior linebacker broke onto the scene in September with a historic performance against Indiana, compiling 15 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

Cincinnati Football: Bearcats senior linebacker Ivan Pace Jr nominated for Bednarik Award

Following the blowout win over Indiana, Pace received a ton of accolades including AAC Defensive Player of the Week, Bednarik National Player of the Week and PFF Defensive Player of the Week.

In addition to earning multiple All-AAC weekly honors twice, the Cincinnati native picked up mid-season All-American nominations from Associated Press, ESPN, The Athletic, PFF and more.

Pace racked up the third most tackles for loss (19.5) in the nation, while totaling the seventh-most tackles (120) to lead the Bearcats defense that allowed just 20.3 points per game and 4.5 yards per play.

The Bednarik Award winner will be announced during the Home Depot College Football Awards on December 8 at 7:00 PM on ESPN. Bearcats punter Mason Fletcher was nominated for the Ray Guy Award as well.