CINCINNATI –  Cincinnati senior linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. was named a semifinalist on Tuesday for the 2022 Chuck Bednarik and Butkus Awards.
 
The Bednarik honor is given to the nation's outstanding defensive player of the year, while the Butkus Award is given to the nation's top linebacker.
 
Pace Jr. leads the nation with 16.0 tackles for loss and ranks tied for 10th in sacks (7.0) and tied for 12th in tackles (10.38) for a Bearcats' defense that ranks sixth nationally in yards per play allowed (4.33).
 
His 92.2 grade for the season by Pro Football Focus ranks second nationally behind only his teammate Dontay Corleone (92.4), a redshirt freshman nose tackle.
 
Pace Jr. was named a Midseason All-American by the Associated Press, ESPN, The Athletic and Pro Football Focus.
 
The American Athletic Conference has had two previous winners of the Bednarik and Butkus awards. Temple's Tyler Matakevich won both awards in 2015, while Tulsa's Zaven Collins took both honors in 2020.