Cincinnati Linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. Named Butkus Award Finalist

The senior transfer shattered expectations in the 2022 season.

© Stephanie Scarbrough/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

CINCINNATI — UC star linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. is a finalist for the Butkus Award, earned annually by the top linebacker in college football.

Other finalists include Jack Campbell (Iowa), Jamon Dumas-Johnson (Georgia), Davian Henley (Washington State), and Drew Sanders (Arkansas).

© Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Pace has been incredible in the spine of UC's defense. He ranks second nationally in tackles for loss (19.0), ninth in sacks (9.0), and ninth in total tackles (107). 

This marks the second-straight year a UC linebacker made it to the final cut for the Butkus Award (Darrian Beavers).

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