IOWA CITY — Iowa football has added a new piece to its defense.
Central Michigan defensive line transfer Jonah Pace has committed to Iowa, he announced Monday. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
Pace recorded 34 total tackles, including four sacks, this season at Central Michigan. In his career for the Chippewas, Pace combined for 55 total tackles, including 12 for loss, along with one forced fumble. He is listed at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds.
Pace was a 3-star prospect at Marengo High School in Illinois, according to the 247Sports Composite. He received offers from Central Michigan, Murray State and Western Illinois, among others.
After four seasons at Central Michigan, including a redshirt, Pace decided to enter the transfer portal for his final year of eligibility.
“The many great memories made here at CMU as a student-athlete will always be a part of me. I am excited to discover what new opportunities lie ahead,” Pace said via social media in early December.
Now Pace is set to bolster an Iowa defensive line group that will endure some changes ahead of the 2025 season. The Hawkeyes are set to lose two starters from this season’s defensive line — Yahya Black and Deontae Craig.
But a pair of 2024 starters are also projected to return in Ethan Hurkett and Aaron Graves. Hurkett led Iowa in sacks through 12 games. Iowa could also bring key reserves from the defensive line room, including Max Llewellyn and Brian Allen. Highly touted 2025 legacy Hawkeye Iose Epenesa could enter the fray as a true freshman too.
Iowa has been actively targeting defensive linemen in the transfer portal. The Hawkeyes previously missed out on Northwest Missouri State defensive lineman Langden Kitchen, who committed to Missouri.
Pace and former Auburn quarterback Hank Brown are Iowa’s two commitments of the transfer portal cycle so far.
Brown, who appeared in five games during his career with the Tigers, including two starts, committed to Iowa on Friday. In his career at Auburn, Brown was 34-of-52 passing (65.4%) for 535 yards with six touchdowns and three picks.
Defensively, Iowa has also pursued help in the secondary via the transfer portal market but not added anyone to this point. The Hawkeyes are losing veteran cornerback Jermari Harris, who was among Iowa’s best defensive players in 2024 before missing the final two games of the regular season.
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