Jahvaree Ritzie

Last updated
Jahvaree Ritzie
UNC vs Central 2024 - 045 (cropped).jpg
Ritzie with the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2024
Pittsburgh Steelers
Position Defensive tackle
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (2003-01-31) January 31, 2003 (age 22)
Kernersville, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight294 lb (133 kg)
Career information
High school Glenn (Kernersville)
College North Carolina (2021–2024)
NFL draft 2025: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Awards and highlights
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Jahvaree Ritzie (born January 31, 2003) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Contents

Early life

Ritzie attended Robert B. Glenn High School in Kernersville, North Carolina. He was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to play college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels over other schools such as Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio State, and Tennessee. [1]

College career

In his first three collegiate seasons from 2021 to 2023, Ritzie appeared in 39 games for the Tar Heels, where he totaled 98 tackles with five being for a loss, two and a half sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble, for North Carolina. [2] [3] In the 2024 season opener, he notched three sacks in a win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers and was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) defensive lineman of the week. [4] In week 9, Ritzie intercepted a pass which he returned 84 yards for a touchdown, while also notching a tackle for a loss and a sack, in a win over the Virginia Cavaliers. [5]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+1⁄4 in
(1.94 m)		294 lb
(133 kg)		33+1⁄4 in
(0.84 m)		10+1⁄4 in
(0.26 m)		5.02 s1.70 s2.81 s36.0 in
(0.91 m)		9 ft 6 in
(2.90 m)		26 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [6] [7]

New England Patriots

On May 9, 2025, Ritzie signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent after going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft. [8] On August 26, he was waived by the Patriots as part of final roster cuts and signed to the practice squad the following day. [9] [10] On September 2, Ritzie was released from the practice squad. [11]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On January 22, 2026, Ritzie signed a reserve/future contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. [12]

References

  1. ↑ Ferlise, Patrick. "UNC football gets commitment from 4-star Winston-Salem DE Jahvaree Ritzie". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  2. ↑ "Jahvaree Ritzie". Sports Reference. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  3. ↑ Fowler, Chapel (1 September 2021). "Which true freshmen could play for UNC football against Virginia Tech? Jahvaree Ritzie leads the list". The Fayetteville Observer. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  4. ↑ Koh, Michael (3 September 2024). "UNC's Jahvaree Ritzie, Noah Burnette Named ACC's Players of the Week". Chapelboro.com. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  5. ↑ Alexander, Chip. "Who was that in No. 5 running 84 yards for a touchdown? UNC's Jahvaree Ritzie?". News & Observer. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  6. ↑ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Jahvaree Ritzie Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Jahvaree Ritzie College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Patriots Sign Eight of Their 11 2025 Draft Picks and 16 Rookie Free Agents". Patriots.com. May 9, 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2025.
  9. ↑ "Patriots Make Roster Moves to Reach 53-Man Roster Limit". Patriots.com. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  10. ↑ "Patriots Claim QB Tommy DeVito and CB Charles Woods; Release WR Javon Baker and WR Kendrick Bourne; Sign 16 Players to the Practice Squad". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2025-08-27.
  11. ↑ "Patriots Release DT Jahvaree Ritzie from the Practice Squad". Patriots.com. Retrieved 2025-09-02.
  12. ↑ "Ritzie signed to Reserve/Future contract". Steelers.com. January 22, 2026.
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