CINCINNATI – Cincinnati senior linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was named one of three finalists on Tuesday for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation's top defensive player.
The winner will be announced on the 32nd annual The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Pace Jr., who starred at Colerain High School in Cincinnati, tallied 120 tackles to go along with 19.5 TFLs and 9.0 sacks in 2022, while leading a defense that ranked fifth nationally in yards per play allowed (4.52).
His 19.