Cincinnati product and former Bearcats star linebacker Ivan Pace Jr has continued to impress at the Minnesota Vikings training camp!
Despite being labeled as undersized, Pace flashed next level potential throughout his career and will look to compete for a roster spot.
Pace received a ton of accolades last season including AAC Defensive Player of the Year and Associated Press All-American honors.
The former Colerain High School standout finished his career with 306 total tackles, 20 sacks and three forced fumbles in 35 appearances.
UDFA LB Ivan Pace Jr has been impressive through 2 days of #Vikings training camp. Both days Pace has been running plays with the second team unit. Very impressive. #skol pic.twitter.com/moCQBGtWv1
— Vikings Nation (@vikingsnationmn) July 28, 2023
Cincinnati Football: Ivan Pace Jr continues to impress at Minnesota Vikings training camp
During his lone season at Cincinnati, Pace led the Bearcats defense with a AAC-best 136 total tackles and nine sacks in 13 games.
In addition to securing the Senior Bowl Defensive MVP award, Pace took home the National Team Linebacker of the Week in December.
Pace became the first unanimous All-American in Bearcats history and racked up a team-high 16 tackles in the Fenway Bowl last year.
Since deciding to transfer to his hometown school last summer, Pace developed into one of the best linebackers in the country.
Not only has #Vikings UDFA Ivan Pace Jr looked great in camp this week but he’s also garnering praise from DC Brian Flores. Flores tells @wyche89 that he is extremely impressed with the rookie #skol pic.twitter.com/6fL803Hzqi
— Vikings Nation (@vikingsnationmn) July 30, 2023
Cincinnati Football: Minnesota Vikings sign former Bearcats star linebacker Ivan Pace Jr
After not being selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Pace opted to sign an undrafted free agent deal with the Vikings in late April.
In a win over Indiana in September, Pace compiled 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks en route to earning AAC Defensive Player of the Week.
Pace was a finalist for the Bednarik Award and became the second consecutive Bearcat to win AAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Stay tuned for the most recent rumors and updates as several former Cincinnati standouts look to make an impact at the next level.