Ryan Switzer, who starred as a wide receiver and returner for UNC football from 2013 through 2016, officially announced his retirement on Monday morning.

Switzer set multiple records during his time with the Tar Heels. He holds the all-time program marks in career receptions (244) and yards (2,907), and held the record for single-season receptions (96 in 2016) until Josh Downs broke that record in 2021. Switzer also tied the UNC record for most catches in a game with 16 against Pittsburgh in 2016. His 14 catches the next weekend against Florida State gave him 30 in two weeks, which is an ACC record.

Switzer made a name for himself as a dynamic punt returner, scoring five punt return touchdowns and averaging 20.9 yards per return as a freshman, earning first team All-American status as a special teamer that season. Switzer ended his career with 1,082 punt return yards and seven punt return touchdowns to his name, both most in UNC history. The touchdowns mark is also tied for fourth in NCAA Division I history. Switzer earned the distinction of being named first team All-ACC at two different positions: as a special teamer in 2015 and as a receiver in 2016.

Switzer was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. He scored a punt return touchdown in his rookie season with Dallas, but was traded twice in the 2018 offseason. Switzer struggled with injuries for the rest of his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns. Before announcing his retirement, Switzer hadn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2019.

“Unfortunately, in light of a recent injury, I feel I’m no longer able to meet the physical demands of the game,” Switzer said in his announcement. “Although my playing days are over, I’m looking forward to using the knowledge and experience I’ve accumulated to help the next generation of players through coaching.”

Current UNC Football head coach Mack Brown shared some congratulations and words of encouragement to Switzer on Monday. Brown never coached the wide receiver, having been re-hired to lead the Tar Heels at the end of the 2018 season, but thanked him for representing the program well.

 

Featured image via Smith Cameron Photography

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