The Iowa Hawkeyes picked up their second transfer portal commitment on Monday.
Defensive lineman Jonah Pace announced his commitment to the Hawkeyes over Nebraska.
The 6-foot-5, 285 pound defensive lineman will factor in along the interior of the Hawkeyes’ defensive front.
During the 2024 season with Central Michigan, Pace totaled 34 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six quarterback hurries, four sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble and one blocked kick. According to Pro Football Focus, Pace had 20 total pressures a season ago.
Pace also registered 17 tackles, one sack and one tackle for loss with the Chippewas during the 2023 season.
Stay the path@HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/74Uc4Hq2FL
— ᴊᴏɴᴀʜ ᴘᴀᴄᴇ (@JonahPace6) December 23, 2024
A native of Marengo, Ill., Pace joins an Iowa defensive tackles group that returns Aaron Graves and Jeremiah Pittman. Those two combined for 49 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and six sacks during the 2024 regular season.
With Yahya Black moving on, Graves and Pittman are the only Hawkeye defensive tackles that return having logged more than 50 snaps this season.
Iowa is also set to bring back Will Hubert and Luke Gaffney in its defensive interior.
Iowa needed help, though, and the impact of adding someone in Pace that started 12 games this past season and produced like he did with the Chippewas is a welcome sight for the Hawkeyes.
Pace has one season of eligibility remaining.
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