Oct 2, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Deshawn Pace (20) celebrates after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports — Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

Deshawn Pace, Ivan Pace Jr. Make Nagurski Award Preseason Watchlist

The linebackers should play a huge role in UC's 2022 success.

Author:
Russ Heltman
Jul 26, 2022 2:20 PM EDT

In this story:

Cincinnati Bearcats

CINCINNATI — Double trouble in the Bearcats' linebacking corps.

On top of making the Butkus Award Preseason Watchlist, Deshawn Pace and Ivan Pace Jr. also cracked the Nagurski Award Preseason Watchlist.

The award goes to the nation's top defensive player and Cincinnati was one of 20 schools with multiple players on the list.

Deshawn had a statement season in 2021, totaling 95 tackles (fourth on the team), and a team-high four interceptions. He is the program's top linebacker heading into 2022 and could make a case for NFL teams to draft him with continued development.

His brother Ivan had an even better campaign last fall, posting 125 tackles at Miami (OH), which ranked second in the MAC, along with one interception and four sacks. Pace was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year following the season and gives the defense much-needed pass rush versatility.

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