Ryan Switzer born November 4, 1994 is an American football coach and former player, currently serving as the interim head coach for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Switzer had a five-season career in the National Football League (NFL) as a wide receiver and punt returner. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, earning first-team All-American honors twice. Switzer was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (133rd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft and also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.
Ryan Switzer Biography 2024
As a freshman at the University of North Carolina (UNC) in 2013, Ryan Switzer led all NCAA major college players with an average of 20.9 yards per punt return. He scored five punt return touchdowns that season and added 32 receptions for 341 yards and three receiving touchdowns. On November 2, in a 27–19 victory over NC State, Switzer threw a 59-yard touchdown pass to Quinshad Davis. In 2014, his sophomore year, Switzer caught 61 passes for 757 yards and four touchdowns. He also threw a 35-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Thorpe in a 70–41 loss to East Carolina. As a junior in 2015, Switzer recorded a team-high 55 receptions for 697 yards and six touchdowns, while also returning two punts for touchdowns. That year, the Atlantic Coast Conference made a controversial ruling, negating a 70-yard punt return by Switzer, claiming he had made an “invalid signal” before the return. In his senior season, Switzer set a single-season school record with 96 receptions for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns. By the time he graduated, he held the career records at UNC for both receptions and receiving yards.
Ryan Switzer Biography Details
| Born | November 4, 1994 (age 30)
Charleston, West Virginia, U.S. |
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Ryan Switzer Early Life
Switzer attended George Washington High School in Charleston, West Virginia, where he played for the Patriots. As a junior, he led the team in receiving and scored 12 total touchdowns (from receiving, rushing, and returns), averaging over 110 all-purpose yards per game for the state’s top-ranked team. In his senior season, Switzer rushed for 2,379 yards on 206 carries and scored 32 touchdowns. He also caught 20 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns and returned three interceptions for touchdowns.
In addition to his football accomplishments, Switzer was a key player in basketball, helping lead his high school team to the 2011 AAA state championship as the starting point guard. He was also a standout track athlete, finishing 5th in the 100-meter dash at the 2010 AAA state meet with a time of 11.19 seconds. Switzer also finished 6th in the long jump (21 feet 6 inches) and was a member of the state championship-winning 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams. He clocked a 4.33-second time in the 40-yard dash, completed the 60-yard shuttle in 7.3 seconds, and recorded a 34-inch vertical leap. Switzer committed to the University of North Carolina to continue his football career.
Career Timeline
Year | Career Milestone | Details |
2013 | College – Freshman at UNC | Led NCAA in punt return average (20.9 yards) and scored five punt return touchdowns. |
2017 | NFL – Drafted by Dallas Cowboys | Selected in the 4th round (133rd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. |
2017 | NFL – Rookie Season | Averaged 8.8 yards per punt return and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. |
2018 | NFL – Traded to Oakland Raiders | Became the return specialist for the Raiders, reuniting with Rich Bisaccia. |
2018 | NFL – Traded to Pittsburgh Steelers | Had a career-high 36 receptions for 253 yards during the season. |
2020 | NFL – Waived by Steelers | Released and signed to Cleveland Browns practice squad. |
2021 | NFL – Retires from the NFL | Announces retirement after playing with the Cleveland Browns. |
Professional Career
Year | Team | Role |
2017 | Dallas Cowboys | Wide Receiver, Punt and Kick Returner |
2018 | Oakland Raiders | Return Specialist |
2018-2019 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Wide Receiver, Punt and Kick Returner |
2020 | Cleveland Browns | Practice Squad Player |
2021 | Cleveland Browns | Reserve/Futures Contract |
College Career Achievements
Year | College | Statistics |
2013 | UNC | 32 receptions, 341 yards, 5 punt return touchdowns |
2014 | UNC | 61 receptions, 757 yards, 4 touchdowns |
2015 | UNC | 55 receptions, 697 yards, 2 punt return touchdowns |
2016 | UNC | 96 receptions, 1,112 yards, 6 touchdowns |
Career | UNC | 243 receptions, 2,903 yards, 7 punt return touchdowns |
NFL Career Statistics
Year | Team | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns | Punt Returns | Kickoff Returns |
2017 | Dallas Cowboys | 4 | 32 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
2018 | Oakland Raiders | 6 | 74 | 0 | 14 | 4 |
2018 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 36 | 253 | 1 | 30 | 30 |
2019 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 8 | 27 | 0 | 8 | 9 |
Coaching Career Overview
Year | Team | Position |
2023 | Tulsa | Wide Receivers Coach |
2024 | Tulsa | Interim Head Coach |
Coaching Impact
Year | Role | Contributions |
2023 | Wide Receivers Coach | Developed wide receivers, focusing on recruiting and player growth |
2024 | Interim Head Coach | Took over leadership after Kevin Wilson’s firing |
Player Evaluation Metrics (Pre-Draft)
Attribute | Value |
Height | 5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m) |
Weight | 181 lb (82 kg) |
40-yard Dash | 4.51 s |
Vertical Jump | 34 in |
Bench Press | 11 reps |
3-Cone Drill | 6.77 s |
NFL Draft and Transition
Year | Event | Outcome |
2017 | NFL Draft | Selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 4th round (133rd overall) |
2018 | NFL Trade | Traded to the Oakland Raiders in exchange for Jihad Ward |
2018 | NFL Trade | Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers with Sutton Smith for a draft pick |
Highlights from NFL Career
Year | Team | Notable Achievement |
2017 | Dallas Cowboys | Scored first career punt return touchdown with an 83-yard return |
2018 | Pittsburgh Steelers | First receiving touchdown as a Steeler on a 1-yard catch |
2019 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Season-high 67 receiving yards in a game against Denver Broncos |
Retirement and Transition to Coaching
Year | Event | Description |
2022 | Retired from NFL | Announced his retirement from professional football |
2023 | Transitioned to Coaching | Joined Tulsa as Wide Receivers Coach |
2024 | Interim Head Coach | Took over as Interim Head Coach for the Golden Hurricane |
Coaching Timeline
Year | Team | Position |
2023 | Tulsa | Wide Receivers Coach, Recruiting Coordinator |
2024 | Tulsa | Interim Head Coach |
Professional Achievements
Year | Achievement | Details |
2017 | PFWA All-Rookie Team | Earned recognition as one of the top rookie players in the NFL |
2013 | NCAA Punt Return Leader | Led NCAA with 20.9 yards per punt return as a freshman |
2013, 2015 | First-team All-American | Recognized as one of the best college football players in the nation |
2013, 2015, 2016 | First-team All-ACC | Named to the first team of the Atlantic Coast Conference three times |
Final Thoughts on Switzer Career
Category | Summary |
Playing Career | A dynamic and versatile player with significant contributions as a return specialist and wide receiver |
Coaching Career | Quickly adapted to coaching, demonstrating leadership skills as a wide receivers coach and now interim head coach |
Legacy | Known for his outstanding return abilities and his impact at both the collegiate and NFL levels, now transitioning to coaching to shape the next generation of athletes. |
Ryan Switzer Net Worth
Ryan Switzer earned a total of $2,891,984.
Ryan Switzer Summary
Ryan Switzer journey from a college standout at UNC to an NFL player, and eventually an interim head coach at Tulsa, highlights his adaptability, skill, and leadership on and off the field. Whether excelling as a returner in the NFL, breaking records at UNC, or coaching young athletes at Tulsa, Switzer’s legacy continues to evolve.
