NFL Draft

Vikings Have a Gem in Undrafted LB Ivan Pace Jr.

The standout from Cincinnati didn't hear his name called on draft day, but he's already making an impact at his first NFL training camp.

Luke Easterling

Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

NFL history is littered with players who were deemed too small and not athletic enough to be successful at the pro level, despite a long track record of production in college.

It's obviously way too early to say that Ivan Pace Jr. will eventually become the next Zach Thomas to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame or anything like that, but he's already making quite a splash for the Minnesota Vikings.

Pace racked up ridiculous numbers at Cincinnati last season, but due to a lack of ideal size and athletic testing numbers, he managed to go through all seven rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft without hearing his name called.

The Vikings wisely snatched him up as an undrafted free agent, and Pace has been rewarding them ever since, as Peter Schrager from NFL Network points out:

Even with the departure of longtime veteran leader Eric Kendricks, the Vikings still have some more experienced linebackers ahead of Pace on the depth chart heading into the preseason. But if he continues to perform at a high level, just like he did for the Bearcats, it won't be surprising if Pace ends up stealing a starting job sooner than later.

Published
Luke Easterling
LUKE EASTERLING

Luke Easterling (he/him) has been covering college football and the NFL for more than two decades, with a particular focus on the nexus of both, the NFL Draft. Writing for some of the largest and most recognizable brands in sports media, Luke's experience and expertise in evaluating potential NFL prospects and evaluating team needs/fits has earned the appreciation of his readers, and the respect of his peers. Luke cut his sports journalism teeth at The Tampa Tribune before spending two years at Bleacher Report as a featured columnist covering the NFL Draft and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Luke then spent nearly seven years at USA TODAY Sports Media Group as editor of Draft Wire and Bucs Wire, building both into authoritative destination sites for their respective audiences. Now at The Arena Group, Luke covers the NFL and college football for Athlon Sports, and runs Sports Illustrated's FanNation site for the NFL Draft. A graduate of the University of South Florida, Luke has been a featured guest on ESPN Radio, CBS Sports Radio, Fox Sports Radio, SiriusXM and more.  Based in Tampa, Florida (the true home of the Cuban sandwich), Luke plays the drums, loves 2000s pop-punk, watches way too many British murder mystery shows, and channels the energy of his deep-south Grammy and his full-Italian Nana in the kitchen. Twitter: @lukeeasterling Email: luke.easterling@si.com

Home/Latest News