The Los Angeles Rams used their first-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft on Florida State outside linebacker Jared Verse, grabbing him with the 19th overall Thursday night.
College: Verse was Florida State's first two-time First-Team All-ACC defensive end since Reinard Wilson in 1995-96. He was Second-Team All-American in 2023 (ESPN, AP, USA Today and The Athletic) and was a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy following his final season with the program in 2023. Verse also was a Wuerffel Trophy nominee, FSU's defensive MVP, and was the recipient of the Bobby Bowden Leadership Award as a senior. His sack total in 2023 ranked third in the ACC, and his 69 yards lost on TFLs was the ACC's fifthhighest individual total. He started the first 13 games of the 2023 season and recorded 41 tackles, including 12.5 for loss, 9.0 sacks, 11 hurries, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick. During his first season at FSU in 2022, Verse started nine games and recorded 48 tackles, including 17.0 for loss, 9,0 sacks, three hurries, one fumble recovery and one blocked field goal. He was a First-Team All-ACC honoree and recieved the most All-ACC votes on defense that season. Verse also was named First-Team All-American by The Athletic and was the only played in the ACC and one of two Power 5 defenders nationally with four games of 2.5 tackles for loss that season. Verse had at least 0.5 tackles for loss in every game he finished as a junior at FSU. Before his time at FSU, Verse spent two season at Albany where he appeared in 15 games over two seasons and recorded 74 tackles, including 21.5 for loss, 14.5 sacks, 15 hurries, two forced fumbles, and one pass breakup. He was a First-Team All-Conference selection and FCS Freshman All-American and CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2021 after registering 53 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 12 hurries, one forced fumble and one pass breakup. In 2020, Verse was Second-Team All-Conference and was a Jerry Rice Award finalist after notching 22 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and one forced fumble in just four games played. He led the Colonial Athletic Association in tackles for loss and tied for second in sacks that season. He redshirted during the 2019 season.
Personal: Verse was a three-time All-PHAC athlete at Central Columbia and played both sides of the ball his senior year. He recorded 14 tackles with three forced fumbles to go along with 15 receptions for 385 yards at tight end. Verse also played basketball and ran track in high school. He won the state championship as part of the 4X400 relay team.
