UNC defensive tackle Jahvaree Ritzie earns honor after week 1

Jahvaree Ritzie was undoubtedly the greatest defensive difference-maker in the UNC football team’s 19-17 victory over Minnesota last week.

Ritzie, who played largely as a reserve during his first three years as North Carolina, registered three tackles for loss and sacked Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer three times. When Ritzie wasn’t stuffing the stat sheet, he was bowling through Minnesota’s offensive line and disrupting the offensive rhythm.

Arguably Thursday’s greatest beneficiary in new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins’ pressure-heavy scheme, Ritzie was named the Outland Trophy Player of the Week.

Despite allowing the Gophers to march down the field and set up a game-winning field goal try, the Tar Heel defense showed major improvements from the past two seasons.

As a team, UNC limited Minnesota to under 250 yards. Kaimon Rucker, Amare Campbell and Kaleb Cost joined Ritzie in the sack parade, while NC State transfer Jakeen Harris was the lone player with 10 tackles.

The Outland Trophy is given annually to the nation’s best interior lineman – on both sides of the ball.

Ritzie’s National honors follow his ACC Player of the Week honors. Ritzie played all 13 games last year as a reserve, recording just 25 tackles, a half sack, half-TFL, one pass deflection and one forced fumble, but started half of North Carolina’s 2022 games.

What kind of performance will Ritzie deliver for an encore in Saturday’s home opener?

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.