NFL Draft Profile: Ivan Pace Jr., Linebacker, Cincinnati Bearcats
Ivan Pace Jr.
Cincinnati Bearcats
#0
Pos: LB
Ht: 5105
Wt: 231
Hand: 0948
Arm: 3028
Wing: 7200
40: 4.72
DOB: 12/16/2000
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
High School: Colerain
Eligibility: 2023
One Liner:
Pace is an undersized but gutsy linebacker who does his best work charging downhill against the run or shooting gaps as a blitzer.
Evaluation:
Pace offers significant upside as a blitzing linebacker. He’s a missile coming downhill who generates displacement against offensive linemen with his leg drive and momentum. Pace is an explosive linear athlete who frequently stuns offensive linemen or fires through gaps when rushing the passer. The American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year plays with excellent leverage, which further helps him drive offensive linemen back or get small and shoot gaps. Pace is quick enough to cross a lineman’s face before getting backfield penetration. His speed generates a significant mismatch against interior offensive linemen, but he’ll face significantly more challenging opponents in the NFL. Pace rushes the passer with rip and spin moves. He even displays some ability to dip and corner around linemen. Pace makes the most of his terrific contact balance and high motor when clashing with larger opponents. He rallies to the ball as a secondary tackler and gets his hands in passing lanes. Pace has the downhill burst to make plays as a backside run defender. As a second-level defender, he frequently slips or slides off blocks before locating and chasing down the ball carrier. Pace’s special teams experience on kick return, kick coverage, punt return, punt coverage, and field goal block units gives him an early path to the field as a rookie. The Miami (OH) transfer produced nine sacks in 2022 and has some experience lining up in a three-point stance along the line of scrimmage, but he lacks the mass and pass rush plan to play 3-4 outside linebacker. Pace lacks the play strength and counters to revive his pass rush once halted. The senior isn’t truly bendy as an edge rusher. He is undersized, and his arm length appears below average. Pace’s arms limit his ability to complete tackles, generate consistent separation from blocks, and completely occupy zones in coverage. The former two-star recruit lacks sideline-to-sideline range. His pursuit speed is good but not great. Pace must improve his angles to the football. He takes steep angles that result in him taking a trail position. The All-American sometimes overpursues ball carriers, creating opportunities for cutbacks. Pace lacks the agility and change of direction skills to recover from these mistakes. Climbing linemen easily displaced Pace. He wasn’t tasked with many downfield man coverage assignments or deep zone drops in 2022. Pace’s abilities to stick with tight ends in man and predict threats in zone are questionable at best.
Grade:
5th Round
Background:
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. Attended Colerain High School. Began his college career at Miami (Ohio). As a freshman, he played in thirteen games, totaling nineteen tackles, and seven sacks, which ranked first on the team. During the shortened 2020 season, he started in all three games, totaling twenty-six tackles. He had an outstanding sophomore season, playing in thirteen games, totaling 125 tackles, which ranked first on the team, thirteen tackles for loss, four sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception. Transferred to the University of Cincinnati prior to the 2022 season. During this season, he played in thirteen games, totaling 137 tackles, which was the highest on the team, 21.5 tackles for loss, ten sacks, which ranked first on the team, and three forced fumbles.
