2025 DE Gus Ritchey Goes In-Depth On Notre Dame Offer, Visit
Gus Ritchey’s first trip to Notre Dame couldn’t have gone much better.
“Perfect,” the 2025 North Carolina defensive end told Irish Sports Daily afterward.
“It was an amazing visit. Great place. I'm really excited to get back there. Overall, great, great visit.”
The highlight of the trip came at the end, when they 6-foot-3, 230-pounder picked up an offer from the Irish during a meeting with defensive line coach Al Washington.
“I talked with him for a bit, watched some film, and then it happened, I got an offer from the Notre Dame,” Ritchey said.
“The reason why Coach Washington wanted to offer me is one thing: he thinks that I fit this culture. He thinks that I fit this program. He believes in my talents and that my skillset is right for Notre Dame. Also, just my energy, my blue-collar mentality, it fits right. The position I'll be most likely playing there is the Vyper position, that edge spot. It was just great to see how I would play at Notre Dame.”
Ritchey, who also has offers schools like North Carolina, NC State, Georgia, Michigan, Penn State, Texas A&M and Oregon among several others., sees a potential match as well.
“I think it's a great place,” the Northwood High School standout said. “I really think I could fit in a school like that. Overall, the culture, the fan base, the coaching staff, the players, it all matches. I really think I can fit in at program just like Notre Dame.”
The day was packed and the 6-foot-3, 230-pounder enjoyed just about every part.
“First, I was invited to go in a team meeting and for the first day, it was a great energy,” he explained. “Coach (Marcus) Freeman did a really fantastic job presenting his schedule of what the day's practice was going to look like. Everybody was really excited.
“Then, we went and watched practice for a little bit. Then, we went around the campus, beautiful place. Beautiful. I loved seeing all of the neat things; Touchdown Jesus, the stadium, it was just amazing. We got a photoshoot and then I ended up going to Coach Washington's office.”
Ritchey will check out NC State and North Carolina this week and expects to hit Duke and Virginia Tech later this spring.
He’s also already set to return to South Bend.
“I'm attending the spring game on (April) 23rd,” he said.
The Irish clearly made a major impression.
“They sit very high. That was an amazing visit. I've never been to something like that before. Like I said, great, great culture, and I felt like home. That was a great place.”
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