Jahvaree Ritzie
Career Summary
Jahvaree Ritzie is a defensive tackle from Kernersville, North Carolina, who played at North Carolina before signing with the New England Patriots as a rookie free agent in 2025.
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Early Life
Ritzie is from Kernersville, North Carolina. His mother, Kindra Ritzie, was a college heptathlete at SUNY Brockport, and his brother Jahnaul competes in track and field at Charlotte.
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High School
Ritzie attended Glenn High School in North Carolina. He earned all-conference honors as a junior, was an All-American Bowl selection, and helped Glenn reach the third round of the playoffs for the first time. He also competed in track and field, basketball and cross country.
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College Career
Ritzie played four seasons at North Carolina, appearing in 51 games. He finished with 138 tackles, nine sacks, one interception, two passes defended and two forced fumbles. In 2024, he recorded his first interception and returned it 84 yards for a touchdown against Virginia.
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Path to the NFL
New England signed Ritzie as a rookie free agent from North Carolina on May 9, 2025.
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NFL Career
Ritzie began his NFL career with the Patriots in 2025. New England released him from its practice squad on September 2, 2025.
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Career Accomplishments
Ritzie was named Outland Trophy National Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week in September 2024 after his three-sack opener at Minnesota. He added an interception return touchdown, a forced fumble and a sack against Virginia during his senior season.
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Playing Style
NFL draft analysis described Ritzie as a defensive tackle with adequate early hands and base width to take on blocks, whose first season as a full-time starter produced solid results.
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Sources for this section
31182, 00-0040572, 2003-01-31, Jahvaree Ritzie, Jahvaree, Ritzie
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