In 1999, Pace played in seven games, and ranked 27th on the team in tackles. For the season he recorded four tackles, two for a loss, two sacks and one pass deflected.
Sophomore (2000)
In 2000, Pace finished fifth on the team with 50 tackles, including 12 tackles for a loss and nine sacks.
In 2002, Pace finished third on the team with 73 tackles, including 22 tackles for a loss and eight sacks. He recorded six passes deflected and four quarterback hurries. While at Wake Forest, Pace was a two-time Second-team All-ACC selection and finished his college career with 189 tackles, 29 sacks, five forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
Professional career
Arizona Cardinals
Pace was selected by Arizona Cardinals in the first round in the 2003 NFL Draft.
2003: Rookie Year
In 2003, as a rookie, Pace started all 16 games. He recorded a total of 32 tackles and one sack.
In 2005, Pace played in only five games with one start. His season was ended when he suffered a laceration of his arm during the Cardinals bye week. Before Pace was placed on injured reserve he recorded 11 tackles and one sack.
In 2007, Pace was switched to outside linebacker and started all 16 games. He led the team with 106 tackles. Pace also recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks and one fumble. In his five seasons with the Cardinals, Pace played in 67 games with 38 starts recording 186 tackles, 14 sacks and 11 passes deflected. While with the Cardinals he also set career highs in tackles, sacks, interceptions, passes deflected and fumble recoveries in 2007 with 106 tackles, 6.5 sacks, six passes deflected, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one interception.
On March 3, 2008, Pace and the New York Jets came to terms on a six-year, $42 million deal that includes $22 million in guaranteed money. He had turned down a previous offer with the Miami Dolphins prior to signing with the Jets. In his first year in New York, Pace compiled 80 tackles and 7 quarterback sacks.
2009
Pace was suspended for the first four games of the 2009 season by the NFL after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. In the 12 games he played, Pace recorded 55 tackles, 8 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles. The Jets finished 9-7 and made it to the AFC Championship Game before losing to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, falling one game short of the Super bowl.
2010
In August 2010, Pace injured his foot during the preseason. After missing the first four games, Pace started the remainder of the season recording 51 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble helping the Jets finish 11-5 and advance to the AFC Championship Game for the second consecutive year before losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers by the final score of 24-19.
2011
In 2011, Pace played all 16 games with 53 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.
2012
In 2012, Pace played all 16 games with 35 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 1 fumble recovery.
2013
Pace was released from the Jets on February 19, 2013. He was re-signed by the team on April 16 to a one-year contract. During the 2013 season, Pace played all 16 games with 37 tackles, 10 sacks, 3 passes defended, and 2 forced fumbles.
2014
The Jets re-signed Pace to a two-year, $5 million contract on March 16, 2014. On September 13, 2014, Pace was fined $16,537 for a roughing the passer penalty during Week 1 against the Oakland Raiders.
