Jahvaree Ritzie

Jahvaree Ritzie
Ritzie with the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2024
No. 96 – Minnesota Vikings
PositionDefensive tackle
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (2003-01-31) January 31, 2003
Kernersville, North Carolina, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight294 lb (133 kg)
Career information
High schoolGlenn (Kernersville)
CollegeNorth Carolina (2021–2024)
NFL draft2025: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason 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 Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels.

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 spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard splitVertical jumpBroad jumpBench 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)		6 ft 9+1⁄8 in
(2.06 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] He was waived by the Steelers on May 26.[13]

Minnesota Vikings

On June 16, 2026, Ritzie signed with the Minnesota Vikings.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Ferlise, Patrick (June 13, 2020). "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. ↑ Varley, Teresa (January 22, 2026). "Ritzie signed to Reserve/Future contract". Steelers.com. Retrieved May 2, 2026.
  13. ↑ Varley, Teresa. "Steelers sign Lowry". Steelers.com. Retrieved 27 May 2026.
  14. ↑ Kleifield, Rob; Young, Lindsey. "Vikings Sign TE Marshall Lang & DL Jahvaree Ritzie; Waive 2 Players". Vikings.com. Retrieved 17 June 2026.
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