The college football world didn’t know much about UNC defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie during the 2023 season.
Just two weeks into the 2024 campaign, Ritzie is quietly becoming one of the top defensive tackles in the nation.
Ritzie put himself on the national radar during North Carolina’s 19-17 win at Minnesota in Week 1, sacking Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer three times. In the Tar Heels’ long-awaited return to Kenan Stadium last weekend, Ritzie added two more sacks to his total.
Through two weeks of college football, Ritzie’s five sacks lead the entire ACC.
Ritzie has been performing so well, he was featured in USA Today’s First and 10, which details the top 10 storylines from each week of the college football season.
“NFL scouts call it a money year – a final season when players reach their ceiling, knowing they’re playing for NFL money,” USA Today’s Matt Hayes wrote. “College coaches call it development. Some players simply take longer to reach their potential.”
“Welcome to the argument, North Carolina DT Jahvaree Ritzie, who had eight career starts and 2½ career sacks in three previous seasons as a cog in the middle of the defensive line. Now he leads the nation in sacks (five) as an interior lineman, no less. The obvious grand (and ridiculous) statement is Ritzie is on pace for 30 sacks.”
“The North Carolina single-season record for sacks is 16, set by Lawrence Taylor in 1980. If UNC plays 13 games (12 games plus a bowl game), Ritzie needs to average a sack a game to tie Taylor’s record.
With NC Central coming to town Saturday, Ritzie should add another sack or two to his total.
Will Ritzie be able to continue his insane early-season production, furthering cementing himself as a defensive force?
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