How it happened: Gus Ritchey explains flip to NC State
Gus Ritchey could not sleep last week. In the days following his commitment to UNC, something felt off. He was missing a specific vibe that he only felt at NC State.
That feeling did not go away. After thinking over his original decision, he flipped to the Wolfpack Saturday afternoon, shutting down his recruitment and committing to playing tight end in Raleigh.
Even though the news came as a surprise to fans of both teams, it was not a sudden development. NC State always sat near the top of Ritchey’s recruitment. A recent visit to campus, a key message from the Wolfpack staff and a lot of personal reflection helped lead him to his collegiate home.
The class of 2025 NC State commit and Pittsboro (NC) Northwood High star walked TheWolfpacker.com through the past two weeks of his recruitment.
The Alpha Wolf Showcase leaves a great impression
Ritchey visited NC State for the second time this summer during the Alpha Wolf Showcase. After that visit, the tight end said he felt ready to make a decision. His conversations with offensive coordinator Robert Anae and head coach Dave Doeren really resonated with him.
“Every time I went there, the visit was better and better and better, and I had so much fun visiting and I had so many things to do,” Ritchey said. “Coach Anae said so many great things.”
The tight end’s mother, who works as an early childhood educator in North Carolina, visited NC State that day as well. She really connected with Doeren and his wife Sara, Ritchey said, over the work they do to support disabled students.
“My mom even broke down crying with how amazing the visit was,” Ritchey said.
Ritchey commits to UNC
The day after visiting NC State, Ritchey stopped by UNC. He committed to the Tar Heels shortly after.
“When I committed to UNC, I was talking about, ‘Oh, it felt like home,’” Ritchey said. “It was a vibe, there was a different vibe. Honestly, if I had talked about home actually, like missing home… it’s State.”
Ritchey went for a walk after committing to the Tar Heels, and his mind started to race as he thought through his decision.
“All of a sudden, I was just thinking about this,” Ritchey said. “I felt like something was missing, and all I could think of was State.”
Ritchey starts to reconsider his commitment
Once he joined UNC’s 2025 class, both him and his family discussed the Wolfpack late into the night throughout the next week. The vibe he got with the NC State was not the same compared to North Carolina.
“There were nights where I couldn’t even sleep, and me and my parents would be up and we were like ‘Why can’t we sleep? Why can’t you sleep,’ and all we were talking about was State,” Ritchey said. “There’s just a type of feeling there I was missing.
“I think State was the best option. There’s nothing wrong with UNC because UNC has done a great job of recruiting me as well, and Mack Brown has done a fantastic job.”
Ritchey does have genuine love for North Carolina’s program, but NC State feels like home.
“Honestly, I think I fit State better,” Ritchey said. “I think I look better in red, and I think that this is the best place for me and my future. If I want to become not only a great football player but a great man in life, then this is the place.”
A heartfelt message from NC State seals the flip
NC State’s staff started reaching out directly to Ritchey Aug. 1, the first day it was allowed per NCAA guidelines. The tight end committed to UNC soon after, but the Wolfpack remained in contact.
Quite a few Wolfpack coaches built a relationship with Ritchey during his recruitment. Just a few days before publicly announcing his flip to NC State, he made up his mind in-part thanks to a message from assistant director of player personnel Quint Cottingham.
“It was a heart-to-heat thing,” Ritchey said. “What he said was amazing. I felt so sick…I called my dad after practice, and I said ‘Dad, we need to go to State.’”
11 days after committing to UNC, Ritchey officially joins the Wolfpack
Ritchey shared his flip decision publicly Saturday afternoon. The staff already knew, but he was looking forward to calling each coach personally and sharing the good news. He pointed out that he has a lot of people to call— another indicator of the strong bond the tight end built with the program.
Saturday was an important day for Ritchey, his family and NC State. Ritchey completely shut down his recruitment, and he does not plan on visiting any other schools.
The tight end acknowledged that some negative attention will come with the flip, but he is not worried about that.
“At this point, it’s just people saying stuff,” Ritchey said. “Honestly, the film can talk and, when I get there, I’ll prove to them what I’m truly capable of doing.”
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