The Athletic Names Ivan Pace Jr. Potential 2023 NFL Draft Sleeper

The UC linebacker has trended up in recent months.

CINCINNATI — The Athletic unveiled its potential 2023 NFL Draft positional sleepers following showcase games around the country. 

One former Bearcat cracked the list: linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.

"A stack of bricks that can run," Nick Baumgardner wrote. "Pace (5-10, 231) is as tenacious as he is smart on a football field. A Luke Fickell linebacker all the way, Pace overcomes his size limitations by never finding himself out of place, either in coverage or against the run. He’s not afraid to get downhill in the run game, and he brings plenty of lumber when he finds the ball carrier. There will be limitations to what he can do in coverage, but there aren’t many areas in which he struggles or makes mistakes when playing in the stack. You have to look beyond the size."

Pace ended the 2022 season as PFF's highest-graded linebacker (93.1). He was a finalist for the Butkus Award (the nation’s top linebacker) and a finalist for the Bednarik Award (the nation’s top overall defensive player).

Overall, Pace tallied 120 tackles (10th nationally), 19.5 TFLs (third nationally), and 9.0 sacks in 2022 (14th nationally).

The numbers and tape speak for themselves. Pace is currently ranked 155th overall on the consensus big board and projects as a fifth-round pick.

Make sure you bookmark All Bearcats for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

You May Also Like the following:

Senior Bowl Wrap Up: Ivan Pace Jr. Wins Defensive MVP Honors In 27-10 National Team Win

Three Man Weave: Cincinnati Drops UCF 73-64 For Crucial Win

Recruiting Roundup: UC Lands In Four-Star Linebacker Kari Jackson's Top Seven Schools; Offers Two Four-Star Running Backs

Watch: Mika Adams-Woods On His Huge Leap, Why UC Hoops Hasn't Broken Out Just Yet, And More

Four-Star 2024 WR Alex Taylor Puts UC In Top Seven Schools

UC Announces Construction Start Date For New Athletic Facility

Watch: Wes Miller Addresses Media As AAC Play Rolls On

Weekly Net: Bearcats At-Large NCAA Tournament Hopes Take Fatal Shot Following Houston Loss

Tyler Junior College Offensive Lineman Judea Milon Commits To Cincinnati

UC Greats Travis, Jason Kelce First Brothers To Face Each Other In Super Bowl

Recruiting Roundup: Four-Star Athlete Places UC Among Top Schools, Bearcats Send Out Offer Flurry

Watch: Landers Nolley II On His Shooting Leap, Adjusting To A New Team, Facing Houston

UC Guard Landers Nolley II Cracks Consecutive AAC Honor Rolls

Watch: Wes Miller, David DeJulius Discuss 75-68 Loss To Memphis

Look: UC Football Starts Up Offseason Workouts

Florida Cornerback Jordan Young Announces Transfer To Cincinnati

2024 Four-Star Tight End Dylan Mesman Places UC In Top-10 Schools

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on All Bearcats all the time!

Follow All Bearcats on Twitter: @AllBearcats

Like All Bearcats on FaceBook: All Bearcat