Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Next level scouts are torn on what to do with Gus Ritchey, but one thing they can all agree on is that he is a difference maker. The four-star out of North Carolina’s Northwood High School (Pittsboro) has piled up 24 offers with opportunities coming on both sides of the ball. The off days this summer will be spent touring campuses and receiving pitches from coaches as Ritchey (6-3, 230) looks for his collegiate fit.
The Chargers could use their two-way 2025 athlete all over the field this season.
“This upcoming season I will mainly be playing tight end and defensive end,” Ritchey said. “I might be in the backfield here and there and I might be at outside linebacker. Who knows? It will depend on the situation. If they have a guy going up there middle, I could play nose guard; you never know. We have a big season coming up. My coach and I are doing a lot of preparations for myself and the team. We are working on our plays; we are really-really excited.”
Pittsboro was a spot for college coaches this spring.
“NC State and UNC came by,” Ritchie stated. “From UNC, their offensive coordinator, coach (Chip) Lindsey, their tight ends coach, coach (Freddie) Kitchens, and coach (Tim) Cross, their defensive line coach, came to spring ball. On the first day, Colorado came by; coach Tim Brewster, their tight ends coach, came by.”
Work is being put in on both sides of the ball.
“As a defensive end, I know more of the position,” Ritchy shared. “I have the rundown of that position. As a tight end, I am working on that position more. Last year was my first time really getting out there and playing. That was my first time getting that knowledge in at slot and tight end. I have been working more at tight end, but I am still working on my skills at defensive end. I have been doing the little things from watching film and going to camps playing whatever position they want me at.”
Louisville was the last team to offer, heavy interest is building to add more scholarships to the list.
“Nebraska, Florida, Florida State, Wisconsin here and there, and Georgia Tech, those are primarily the ones showing interest that haven’t offered me yet,” Ritchey said.
There is a heavy ACC lean in Ritchey’s daily recruiting process.
“Schools that have been reaching out the most are NC State, Notre Dame, UNC, Miami, Colorado, and Duke came out recently,” Ritchey stated.
Ritchey will get more individual time with the teams actively recruiting him this summer.
“I am planning on going to Miami, Duke, UNC, and NC State most likely in late June,” Ritchey shared. “The in-state schools will be in late June and the out of state visits will be in early June.”
The draw to spend time learning about the Hurricanes was given.
“First thing is their coaching staff, they have been phenomenal with me,” Ritchey said. “Coach (Cody) Woodiel (QCA) has been amazing as a coach and mentor. He has given me a lot of advice. Coach Woodiel is a great coach; he knows how to study the game and attack the gaps. Coach (Mario) Cristobal is amazing. I love talking with him. I love talking about fishing with him. Coach Cristobal is a family guy and an incredible coach. I love everything about Miami.”
In addition to the visits, the chance to work with position coaches in a camp setting are lining up.
“I will most likely go to Notre Dame, the Irish Invasion, and UNC’s The Showtime Camp,” Ritchey stated. “I might go to Florida for a camp. Notre Dame and UNC are definite. Florida is likely; we haven’t decided yet. We might go to Virginia Tech as well if we can’t make the Notre Dame trip.”
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