by J.T. Toth
Photo courtesy of Bleacher Report.
The NFL Draft talk never ends and we are here at Draft 412 in an effort to keep you ready for the next set of gridiron stars. From today until draft night 2024, we will bring you mocks, profiles, team needs, and everything else related to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Today’s Spotlight - Florida State Edge Rusher, Jared Verse
Name- Jared Verse
Pos- Edge
Team- Florida St.
HT/WT- 6’3” 246 lbs.
Born- 11/4/2000
Home – Berwick, PA
Jared Verse was a three-sport athlete in high school. He played football, basketball, and ran track and field. As a high school senior, he caught 15 passes for 385 yards as a tight end and tallied 14 tackles and three forced fumbles on defense. Verse did not receive a star or a national ranking from any recruiting outlets and did not receive any scholarships from FBS schools.
Verse would head to Albany College and redshirt in 2019 and again in 2020 due to Covid. In 2021, he was named the Colonial Athletic Association Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year, a 2021 FCS Freshman All-American, and earned 2021 Second-Team All-Colonial Athletic Association Honors. Verse would transfer to Florida State in January of 2022.
At Florida State, Verse would become a familiar name among scouts and among offensive coordinators in the ACC, making a huge impact on the Seminoles' defense and finished with 9 sacks and 47 tackles. He landed first team All-ACC and All-American awards for his stellar season.
Last winter, Verse announced he would be returning to Florida State, putting the NFL Draft on hold. He is listed as a preseason first team All-American heading into 2023-2024.
Verse has a high energy motor and proved how versatile he is at Florida State. He can line up in several different positions and be a force at each but is most dangerous at rushing off the edge. A player who never quits, he will try and beat you every single down, wearing down offensive linemen with his combination of speed, strength and athleticism.
An exploding first step with heavy hands makes him a handful to block one-on-one and already has an array of pass rushing moves. He uses his feet and hands in unison, has good bend and balance when coming off the corner.
There is room for improvement, however. Verse needs to become better at playing the run. Often, he’ll forsake his assignments, give up the corner or be fooled by baiting offenses. He’s very good at getting around the outside of the tackles, but at times he overplays and takes himself out of the play. He needs to read run blocking better and not pass rush every single play.
With his non-stop motor and the way he gets around the outside, Verse reminds Draft 412 of a poor man’s Von Miller or DeMarcus Lawrence with the way he gets upfield in the blink of an eye.
Strengths
Quick first step
Uses hands and feet well in unison
A toolbox full of moves
Bend and flexibility
High end motor
Weaknesses
Run defense
Reading schemes and blocks
Staying in his gap assignment
Final Analysis
From a virtual unknown to a First Team All-American, Jared Verse has carved himself out a nice path toward the 2024 NFL Draft. Verse has a good chance to be the first Edge rusher off the board next April.
Prediction- Top 10 pick in 2024.