NC State flips Gus Ritchey from UNC
Gus Ritchey committed to North Carolina in early August. After thinking through his original decision, the rising junior flipped his pledge to NC State on Saturday, Aug. 12, finalizing another important win for the Pack over the Tar Heels.
The three-star tight end committed to the Wolfpack’s in-state rival as a defensive lineman Aug. 4, but his desire to play tight end at the next level was part of the reason why he switched his collegiate choice. He is now the second commit of NC State’s 2025 class, joining quarterback Will Wilson from Columbia (S.C.) Richland Northeast.
Ritchey, who stars for Pittsboro (N.C.) Northwood High on both sides of the ball, made the short trip to Raleigh twice this summer to grow his bond with the Wolfpack. He holds 17 Power Five offers from a list of schools that includes Georgia, Michigan, Oregon and others.
Despite that lengthy offer list, he felt ready to shut down his recruitment after a recent trip to the NC State campus for the Alpha Wolf Showcase.
“I think today made things a lot easier,” Ritchey said July 28. “I think today was the factor.”
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Wolfpack offensive coordinator Robert Anae is Ritchey’s primary recruiter, and the 6-3, 225-pound tight end said in a previous interview that he feels like a top priority for the program’s 2025 class.
“Coach Anae has kept it 100 percent with me throughout the whole process,” Ritchey said. “He has always told me to work on the little things. Overall, he sees me fitting in this offense really easily. He thinks I could dominate if I end up going here.”
Ritchey’s mother visited campus with the Wolfpack commit in July, which was a really important moment in the tight end’s decision-making process. She really enjoyed the trip and clicked with head coach Dave Doeren and his wife Sara.
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“She really, really, really loved it here, so I think the best part was seeing her enjoy herself,” Ritchey said.
Wilson and Ritchey are both priority prospects and provide a significant jumpstart to the Pack’s 2025 class. When the junior quarterback joined the class in June, the tight end shared his thoughts.
“I love that he’s committed,” he said. “I’m excited to talk to him and get to know him. I think NC State is doing a really good job with the ’25 class, and having Will on board is going to help even more.”
The On3 Industry Ranking considers Ritchey the No. 21 tight end and No. 367 overall recruit in the country, and the No. 9 prospect in North Carolina.
