Class of 2025 defensive end Gus Ritchey has committed to play football at North Carolina. The 4-star 6-foot-2, 226-pounder from Northwood High School in Pittsboro, NC, picked the Tar Heels over offers from Florida, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, NC State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, Texas A&M, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and many more.

He is the No. 7 player in the state of North Carolina and No. 19 nationally at his position. Several schools recruited Ritchey as a tight end, but the Tar Heels want him on the defensive side of the ball.

"It's home," Ritchey told THI. "I get to play for my state and my community. Just that alone makes me really proud and makes me want to win that much more. The coaching staff are, without a doubt, the best guys you could hope to play for. Plus, a degree from UNC will set you for life."

The standout had been to Chapel Hill numerous times during his recruitment. So, when did Ritchey decide on the Tar Heels?

“They were always very high on the list, but once I went there for Showtime Camp and worked with Coach Cross and Coach Chizik, I was sold,” said Ritchey. “I love the way they coach.”

Ritchey becomes the second commitment for the Tar Heels in the class of 2025. He will join fellow in-state quarterback Bryce Baker, who committed in June.

"North Carolina is on a fast start in the recruiting trail for the class of 2025. It's important to land the best players in North Carolina and the Tar Heels now have the No. 3 player in Baker and No. 7 in Ritchey. Gus is a versatile athlete that plays on both sides of the ball and plays multiple sports for Northwood. He is a perfect fit on what Coach Brown is trying to accomplish on the recruiting front."