Per GoBearcats:
Cincinnati senior linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the 2022 Chuck Bednarik and Butkus Awards.
The Bednarik honor is given to the nation’s outstanding defensive player of the year, while the Butkus Award is given to the nation’s top linebacker.
The Cincinnati native and Colerain High School product is one of 20 semifinalists for the Bednarik and the only player from outside the “Power Five.”
He is one of 15 semifinalists for the Butkus and one of two players from outside the “Power Five.”
Pace Jr. leads the nation with 16.0 tackles for loss and ranks tied for 10th in sacks (7.0) and tied for 12th in tackles (10.38) for a Bearcats’ defense that ranks sixth nationally in yards per play allowed (4.33).
His 92.2 grade for the season by Pro Football Focus ranks second nationally behind only his teammate Dontay Corleone (92.4), a redshirt freshman nose tackle.
Pace Jr. was named a Midseason All-American by the Associated Press, ESPN, The Athletic and Pro Football Focus.
In Week 4, he was outstanding against Indiana, tallying 15 tackles, 4.5 TFLs (fifth-most in UC history), 2.5 sacks and three QB hurries en route to AAC Defensive Player of the Week, Bednarik National Player of the Week and PFF Defensive Player of the Week honors.
He is a two-time PFF National Team of the Week honoree and two-time member of the AAC Weekly Honor Roll.
Pace Jr. finished 10th in the nation with 125 tackles in 2021 while playing for Miami (Ohio). He had six sacks in a game for the Redhawks against Akron in 2019, as well.
