Ivan Pace Jr., a member of the Miami University football team, has been named Pro Football Focus’ Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. According to PFF, Pace registered an 88.3 grade in regular season overall action and a 91.2 pass-rushing grade, totaling 19 pressures on 46 rushes. Pace added an 88.6 coverage grade and a 78.7 run-defensive grade.
 
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native is tops on the team with 116 tackles and finished the year with 13.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, three pass breakups, one interception and a forced fumbled on the MAC’s top defensive unit.
 
The sophomore had six different games with 10-plus tackles, including 18 stops versus Ohio. In the season-finale he recorded 13 tackles and four tackles for loss versus Kent State.

COURTESY MIAMI ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS