CatBoxBackFan
Hall of Famer
Notes: High school quarterback and outside linebacker who enrolled in 1998 weighing 225 pounds. Redshirted in '98. Played in the last eight games in '99 and had four stops, two sacks and one pass broken up. Started all but one game in 2000 and every game in '01. Led the team in sacks both years and was a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference pick in '01. Had 50 tackles, 12 for loss and nine sacks in 2000 and 61-18-10 in '01, when he recovered four fumbles and forced one. Had 73-22-8 in '02 before fracturing his fibula in the season finale. Still played at much less than 100 percent in Seattle Bowl vs. Oregon.
Positives: Has good-plus athletic ability, quickness and power. Plays bigger and faster than his tests and times indicate. Gets good leverage and has the build of a right defensive end.
Negatives: Lacking in the areas of health, size and speed. Is quick but not fast or sudden and doesn't have the speed to get around the edge. Is inconsistent in terms of effort and can disappear against top offensive tackles. Doesn't change directions well and would struggle at linebacker.
Summary: If he had more speed, Pace would be an elite talent. As is, he's a mid-round, risk-reward prospect.
Positives: Has good-plus athletic ability, quickness and power. Plays bigger and faster than his tests and times indicate. Gets good leverage and has the build of a right defensive end.
Negatives: Lacking in the areas of health, size and speed. Is quick but not fast or sudden and doesn't have the speed to get around the edge. Is inconsistent in terms of effort and can disappear against top offensive tackles. Doesn't change directions well and would struggle at linebacker.
Summary: If he had more speed, Pace would be an elite talent. As is, he's a mid-round, risk-reward prospect.
