Born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Jon Ritchie began his football career at Cumberland Valley High. As a senior, the three-year letterman in football led the school to the state title rushing for 1,925 yards and 29 touchdowns. That year, he was named the nation's premier fullback prospect by Blue Chip Illustrated. Ritchie was an outstanding student as well, being named to the National Honor Society. Following graduation, Ritchie attended the University of Michigan for two years where he gained 120 yards on 33 carries as a sophomore before transferring to Stanford University. At Stanford, Ritchie shared the fullback duties, starting in five games as a senior.

An avid guitar player (and Jimi Hendrix fan), Jon Ritchie makes his home in Berkeley, California with his dog Hank. This spring, Stanford grad Ritchie became engaged to a Cal athlete. When asked about the difficulties of entering into what is considered a "mixed marriage" (at least in the Bay Area), Ritchie replied, “The whole Cal-Stanford thing provides that we agree to disagree on things from here to eternity.”