Ivan Pace Jr.

HONORS

• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2023)
• NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 14, 2023)

CAREER NOTES

• Became the second rookie in NFL history since 1994, and the first since DeMeco Ryans in 2006 to have 13 tackles, a sack and an interception in a single game (Week 14 at LV).
• Second undrafted rookie in Vikings history (Don Hultz, 1963) and eighth in NFL history to start at least 10 games, tally 2.0 sacks and an interception, and the first since DE Fred Wakefield in 2001 (Arizona).

2023 | MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• One of three undrafted rookies to make the 53-man roster.
• Started 11 of the 17 games in which he appeared as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings, and his 97 defensive tackles led all rookies in 2023.
• Tallied six tackles of defense and an additional two tackles on special teams at Detroit in Week 18 (1/7).
• Against Green Bay in Week 17 (12/31), led the team in tackles, tallying 11 tackles, the second most in a single game in his career.
• Recovered a fumble for the first time in his career against Detroit in Week 16 (12/24). Also made four tackles.
• His nine tackles tied for the most among all Vikings at Cincinnati in Week 15 (12/16).
• At Las Vegas in Week 14 (12/10), tallied a career-high and team-high 13 tackles, captured his first-career interception and had a sack. Seven of his 13 tackles came in the game's first quarter. By intermission, Pace had tied his career best in a single game with nine.
• Became just the second rookie in NFL history since 1994 to have at least 13 tackles, an interception and a sack in a single game, joining DeMeco Ryans (2006).
• Recorded the first full sack of his career against Chicago in Week 12 (11/27), raising his career total to 1.5. He was one of three Vikings with nine tackles, which led the team and tied his career high.
• At Denver in Week 11 (11/19), led the Vikings with nine tackles, tying his career high set in Week 2 at Philadelphia. He also registered a forced fumble for the first time in his career.
• Tied for the second-most tackles among Viking defenders with five in Week 10 against New Orleans (11/12).
• Notched four tackles against the Chargers in Week 3 and also had a quarterback hurry.
• Started his first-career game against the Eagles (9/14), collecting eight tackles, including 0.5 sack.
• Made his NFL debut against Tampa Bay (9/10), racking up eight total tackles, tied for the second most among Viking defenders.

HONORS

• PFWA All-Rookie Team (2023)
• NFC Defensive Player of the Week (Week 14, 2023)

CAREER NOTES

• Became the second rookie in NFL history since 1994, and the first since DeMeco Ryans in 2006 to have 13 tackles, a sack and an interception in a single game (Week 14 at LV).
• Second undrafted rookie in Vikings history (Don Hultz, 1963) and eighth in NFL history to start at least 10 games, tally 2.0 sacks and an interception, and the first since DE Fred Wakefield in 2001 (Arizona).

2023 | MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• One of three undrafted rookies to make the 53-man roster.
• Started 11 of the 17 games in which he appeared as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings, and his 97 defensive tackles led all rookies in 2023.
• Tallied six tackles of defense and an additional two tackles on special teams at Detroit in Week 18 (1/7).
• Against Green Bay in Week 17 (12/31), led the team in tackles, tallying 11 tackles, the second most in a single game in his career.
• Recovered a fumble for the first time in his career against Detroit in Week 16 (12/24). Also made four tackles.
• His nine tackles tied for the most among all Vikings at Cincinnati in Week 15 (12/16).
• At Las Vegas in Week 14 (12/10), tallied a career-high and team-high 13 tackles, captured his first-career interception and had a sack. Seven of his 13 tackles came in the game's first quarter. By intermission, Pace had tied his career best in a single game with nine.
• Became just the second rookie in NFL history since 1994 to have at least 13 tackles, an interception and a sack in a single game, joining DeMeco Ryans (2006).
• Recorded the first full sack of his career against Chicago in Week 12 (11/27), raising his career total to 1.5. He was one of three Vikings with nine tackles, which led the team and tied his career high.
• At Denver in Week 11 (11/19), led the Vikings with nine tackles, tying his career high set in Week 2 at Philadelphia. He also registered a forced fumble for the first time in his career.
• Tied for the second-most tackles among Viking defenders with five in Week 10 against New Orleans (11/12).
• Notched four tackles against the Chargers in Week 3 and also had a quarterback hurry.
• Started his first-career game against the Eagles (9/14), collecting eight tackles, including 0.5 sack.
• Made his NFL debut against Tampa Bay (9/10), racking up eight total tackles, tied for the second most among Viking defenders.

COLLEGE - MIAMI (OHIO)/CINCINNATI

• Authored the greatest defensive season in history by a Bearcat in his only season at Cincinnati. Totaled 137 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and three forced fumbles. He was No. 3 nationally in TFLs, sixth in the country in tackles and No. 10 in sacks.
• Transferred to Cincinnati prior to the 2022 season.
• Began career at Miami (Ohio) where he played in 13 games in 2019. Led the team with 7.0 sacks, adding 19 tackles.

HONORS

• Senior Bowl Participant (2023)
• Unanimous First-Team All-American (2022)
• AAC Defensive Player of the Year (2022)
• All-AAC First Team (2022)
• Butkus Award Finalist (2022)
• Chuck Bednarik Award Finalist (2022)
• Pro Football Focus' Second-Highest Rated Defensive Player in the Country

PREP - CINCINNATI COLERAIN (OHIO)

• Named Division I Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.
• Recorded 84 tackles, 6.5 sacks and four forced fumbles his senior year.
• Helped lead his team to a 14-1 record and a trip to the state title game.

OFF THE FIELD

• Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio.