Jahvaree Ritzie is a North Carolina defensive lineman who capped his college career with an 84-yard interception return touchdown against Virginia.
Ritzie developed steadily over four seasons at North Carolina before breaking out as a senior, earning ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors and third-team All-ACC recognition. After stops with New England and Pittsburgh, he landed with the Vikings in June 2026.
Path to the league
A four-star recruit out of Robert B. Glenn High School in Kernersville, North Carolina, Ritzie played defensive line for the Tar Heels from 2021 to 2024. He went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft after measuring 6-foot-4, 294 pounds with a 5.02-second 40-yard dash at his pro day.
Career highlights
Ritzie's first three seasons produced 98 tackles, five for loss, two and a half sacks, a pass deflection and a forced fumble. His senior year was his best: he recorded three sacks against Minnesota to earn ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors, and against Virginia he intercepted a pass and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown while also logging a tackle for loss and a sack. He earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2024, finishing his career with 138 combined tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks.
2025 season recap
Undrafted in 2025, Ritzie signed with the New England Patriots but was released from their practice squad in early September. He caught on with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a reserve/futures deal in January 2026 before being waived that May to make room for the return of Dean Lowry, then signed with the Minnesota Vikings on June 16, 2026.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Jahvaree Ritzie
- ESPN: Jahvaree Ritzie
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Defensive End
- Group
- defense
- College
- North Carolina
- Hometown
- Kernersville, NC, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
