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Carolina has some nice kids who are trying to get not-so-nice on defense.
Between the anticipated interviews of quarterbacks Conner Harrell and Max Johnson after the Spring Game Saturday, defensive lineman Jahvaree Ritzie strode into the press conference still wearing his uniform pants. The 6-5 senior with the pleasant personality gave some hints on how the Tar Heels will improve against the run this season after finishing 12th in the ACC in 2023.
Some of it has to do with new D-Coordinator Geoff Collins, the charismatic former head coach at Georgia Tech and, for Ritzie, elevated defensive line coach Ted Monachino, who spent 16 years where Ritzie and many of his teammates want to go – the NFL.
“You’ve got to give credit where credit is due,” Ritzie said. “Coach Ted came in. He’s coached a lot of guys and is doing what he needs to do with us.”
Monachino was promoted from analyst to head of the D-line after winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens and coaching the likes of all-pros Terrell Suggs, Khalil Mack, Elvis Dumervil and C.J. Mosely. After being more of a personal advisor in 2023, he is now the man Ritzie and his trench-mates work under every day.
“For me and Coach Ted, we talk every single day,” Ritzie said. “He just makes sure I’m good mentally because that’s where it starts for real. He wants us well prepared for each and every day. You can’t go play the game if your mental health isn’t right. So Coach Ted makes sure our minds and bodies are good, he makes sure our family’s good. And that’s been one of the biggest things I’ve seen with Coach Ted towards me, that’s what we all need.”
Ritzie is also looking out for 6-6, 330-pound junior tackle Travis Shaw, who limped off the field at the end of the spring game, but says he is fine.
“Travis Shaw, man, his work ethic has just taken off,” Ritzie said. “I’m really proud of Travis because coming in as a young guy, he had his ups and downs, but Travis is about to blow up this year and I truly believe it.”
Mack Brown also believes it is Shaw’s time to thrive as a former five-star recruit. “A times, he’s shown that he can be a first rounder,” Brown said. “He was doing so well two years ago when he got hurt against Pitt and that really set him back and then he missed the spring. But he is showing evidence this spring he can be a high draft choice. He’s just gotta do it all the time.”
Ritzie says it’s time for a deep defense with a bevy of young talent also behind Kaimon Rucker, Power Echols, Des Evans and Kevin Hester, to grow up and show up all the way down the line.
Featured image via Associated Press/Chris Seward
Art Chansky is a veteran journalist who has written ten books, including best-sellers “Game Changers,” “Blue Bloods,” and “The Dean’s List.” He has contributed to WCHL for decades, having made his first appearance as a student in 1971. His “Sports Notebook” commentary airs daily on the 97.9 The Hill WCHL and his “Art’s Angle” opinion column runs weekly on Chapelboro.Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.
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