On pace to ...

Could you please help me phrase the following?

Which word is correct “of” or “for” “become” or “becoming”?

Would you phrase differently?

When the team bought the player, they had very high expectations for/of him. They thought he’d become a top 5 player 3 years in. Jump forward 2 years, he is on pace to becoming/become a top 5 player.

How would you phrase these ?

His progression is on pace with what the team thought it would be.

How would you say that he’s not as good or he’s better? Is it possible to use “pace” or a different word?

He is behind the pace to becoming a top 5 player. (He’s not as good as they thought he’d be at this point in his career.)

He is ahead of the pace to becoming a top 5 player. (He’s better than they thought he’d be at this point in this career.)

His progression is ahead/begins the pace with what the team thought it would be.

thank you ***************