[Elvis]

2. JARED VERSE | Florida State 6037 | 254 lbs. | 5SR Berwick, Pa. (Central Columbia) 11/4/2000 (age 23.48) #5

BACKGROUND: Jared Verse, the third of six children (three girls and three boys), grew up in Dayton, Ohio, in a basketball family (his father, Eric, played). In middle school, his mother (Jannienne) had to relocate for her career, so the family moved to North Carolina and then to central Penn sylvania. Verse enrolled at Central Columbia High School in Lime Ridge, Pa., where he was a three-year letterman, primarily as an inline tight end, while also seeing occasional snaps on the defensive line. As a sophomore, Verse posted eight catches for 147 yards and one touchdown. He helped the program to nine wins as a junior, recording 15 receptions for 340 yards and four touchdowns (22.7 yards per catch). As a senior in 2018, he earned All-Conference honors for the third straight season with 15 receptions for 385 yards on offense and 14 tackles and three forced fumbles on defense. Verse also lettered in basketball and track, winning the state championship as part of the 4x400 relay team at the 2019 Pennsylvania Championships. He also produced personal bests of 11.34 seconds in the 100 meters and 22.68 in the 200 meters. A no-star recruit, Verse was a 205-pound tight end as a high school senior and wasn’t ranked by recruiting services. He heard from nearby Division I programs, including Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Syracuse and Temple but didn’t receive any FBS offers. Two weeks after Verse’s final high school game, FCS Albany recognized his athleticism and growth potential and offered him his only scholarship — with the option to play defensive end or tight end. Verse saw his best long-term path on defense and signed with Albany, redshirting in 2019. Because of the pandemic, he spent most of 2020 taking online classes, working out and adding weight at home in Phoenix (his parents moved to Arizona after his high school graduation). Looking for a bigger stage and better opportunities (Albany went 3-12 in his 15 games there) after his productive 2021 season, which included a standout performance versus Syracuse, Verse entered the transfer portal in November 2021. He was considered one of the top players available and received more than 30 FBS offers, including from national powers Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Oklahoma, Tennessee and USC. When he visited Florida State, Verse met with 2022 first-round pick Jermaine Johnson, who had transferred to Tallahassee before the 2021 season and became the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Verse signed with the Seminoles and led them in sacks both of his seasons on the roster. His younger sister (Miyah) was a freshman basketball player at Georgia in 2023-24. Verse skipped the 2023 bowl game and declined his invitation to the 2024 Senior Bowl.

YEAR (GP/GS) TKLS TFL SACK FF PD INT NOTES
2019: Redshirted Albany
2020: (4/1) 22 10.0 4.0 0 1 0 Albany; CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year; Second Team All-CAA; Led CAA in TFL; Season played in spring 2021
2021: (11/11) 52 11.5 10.5 1 1 0 Albany; First Team All-CAA; Led team in sacks, TFL
2022: (12/9) 47 16.5 9.0 0 0 0 Florida State; First Team All-ACC; Led ACC in TFL; Led team in sacks; Missed one game (left knee); Blocked FG
2023: (13/13) 41 12.5 9.0 1 3 0 Florida State; First Team All-American; First Team All-ACC; Led team in sacks; Blocked PAT; Missed bowl game
Total: (40/34) 162 50.5 32.5 2 5 0
HT WT HAND ARM WING 40-YD 20-YD 10-YD VJ BJ SS 3C BP
COMBINE 6037 254 9 7/8 33 1/2 79 1/2 4.58 2.67 1.59 35 10’7” 4.44 7.31 31
PRO DAY 6035 259 9 3/4 32 3/4 80 5/8 - - - - - - - - (stood on combine workout)
BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS 175

STRENGTHS: Well-built athlete with functional arm length … fast, violent hands and punches above his weight class … quick off the ball with a sprinter ment ality when attacking the corner (can see track background) … skillfully uses a variety of chop moves (stab chop, cross chop, etc.) … effective speed-to-power transition to blow through the blocker’s outside shoulder or cave in pockets … flashes a closing burst on twists and stunts … stays balanced through contact to win the point of attack and make run stops at the line … disciplined backside pursuit … never feels like he is out of the play, because of outstanding hustle and effort … would drop and cover running backs a few times each game at Florida State… used to seeing extra blocking attention from backs and tight ends on the edge … blocked two kicks (FG and PAT) in two seasons at FSU … plays with emotion; chirping at blockers to disrupt their focus is part of his competitive profi le … blue-collar background and has a strong support system built on hard work (added 40 pounds of muscle during the pandemic to move to the defensive line) … great teammate and quickly created a legacy in Tallahassee (before he transferred to FSU, he reached out to their defensive linemen to make sure they knew he wasn’t coming to steal their jobs).

WEAKNESSES: Still crafting his pass-rush sequencing … average bender and too often finds himself past the pocket … can get washed and late to leverage redirects … physical finisher, but he needs to be more controlled breaking down in the pocket and misses too many tackles because of his aggressive style … can play on his feet but lacks the sudden fluidity to consistently disrupt passing lanes when dropping … missed one game as a junior with a left knee injury (September 2022) … will turn 24 as an NFL rookie … disappointing production as a senior.

SUMMARY: A two-year starter at Florida State, Verse played the “FOX” edge rusher role in defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s 4 -3 base scheme, standing up and rushing with his hand on the ground. After receiving only one scholarship offer (Albany), he developed into one of college football’s best edge rushers, collectin g 29 tackles for loss and 18 sacks in his 25 games in Tallahassee. As a pass rusher, Verse can win with speed or power and flashes violence in his hands to break down the rhythm of blockers. He sets a physical edge in the run game and is always around the football, because of his awareness, effort and fierce play personality. Overall, when he channels his relentless energy, Verse is as disruptive as anyone in this class, because of his explosive get-off, power through his frame and NFL-quality hand use. His physical traits and competitive football temperament give him a high floor as an NFL starter (reminiscent of eight-year NFL veteran Dante Fowler).

GRADE: 1st Round (No. 20 overall)

[AltiTude Ram]

Love the pick! Stayed and let one of the top Edge rushers fall in your lap.

[Elvis]

[Elvis]

[Zen_Ronin]

I wanted Byron Murphy, but I'm happy with this pick. Very happy actually. Glad we got him and not Latu tbh. If Verse can add a little bulk and agility he'll be a stud!

[Elvis]

Stood pat and got one of the top rated edges, can't complain about that...

[69RamFan]

I called it and nailed it,

and we didn't even have to trade up for him!!!!

So much for those Fans/posters who was thinking in trying to trade up,

to get a QB, LT, WR, TE!!!!

[Lancer]

I wanted Byron Murphy, but I'm happy with this pick. Very happy actually. Glad we got him and not Latu tbh. If Verse can add a little bulk and agility he'll be a stud!

I see from his highlights why people praise his disruptive first step off the line in combination with excellent hand work, and why these feature in his pass rush success.

He needs to diversify his move set though, esp. against the run; more powerful linemen in the NFL who have the benefit of some experience will be able to diagnose what he does.

At #19 with no trades needed though, seems like strong value.

[Elvis]

[Dare]

I love this pick. I honestly thought he would go long before 19 but the run on QBs dropped him into the Ram's lap. I know a lot of people wanted Latu who is a damn good player, but the Rams got a guy that plays with an attitude. He's got AD type speed and quickness coming off the edge opposite Young.

Take a look at his highlights and you will see why I've liked this guy for a while.