Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
Size:
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 254 pounds
Arm Length: 33 1/2"
Hand Size: 9 7/8"
Accomplishments:
First Team All-American (2022) • First Team All-ACC (2022) • Florida State Defensive MVP (2022)
“Jared Verse has an explosive first step combined with the natural ability to bend and turn the corner that makes him a consistent sack threat.”
Strengths:
Versatile pass-rush plan
Explosive first step rushing the passer
Great bend and flexibility
Natural athlete/lateral agility
Great functional strength
High motor
Concerns:
Diagnosing run blocking
How to deconstruct blocks in the run game
Maintaining gap integrity
Film Analysis:
Jared Verse is a versatile edge defender who has shown to be able to make an impact from multiple alignments and positions along the Florida State defensive front. Verse made his biggest impact for Florida State as a pass rusher, where he has shown that he can be a reliable and disruptive defender.
Rushing the passer, Verse showcases a detailed and versatile pass-rush plan, executing multiple initial and counter moves. Verse uses his quick first step to dictate the pace of the pass rush and then does a good job deciding to continue to win around the arc or use his lateral agility to redirect for an inside counter move. When Verse enters into combat with the offensive lineman, he shows a wide array of moves combined with strong violent hands. He can properly execute a cross-chop, rip move, spin move, speed-to-power bull rush, or a long-arm to collapse the pocket. While Verse can properly execute all of these moves, it appears that his go-to and most difficult move to stop is his speed rush along the arc—he showcases great bend around the arc and the ability to get under offensive linemen and tighten his angle toward the quarterback for the sack.
While Verse appears to have all of the physical tools to be a natural pass rusher, there is some room for improvement in how he plays against the run. When Verse is aligned on the outside shade of the offensive tackle he does a good job of keeping outside leverage, but there are instances where he gets upfield and runs himself out of the play creating a running lane. Verse will also attempt to defeat blocks by evading defenders, but this results in the loss of gap integrity.
Overall, Verse flashes potential to be a dominant pass rusher on the next level and improvement in how he plays the run will make him a more well-rounded player and one of the top picks in this upcoming draft.
Prospect Projection: Day 1 — Pro Bowl Caliber
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: LSU (2023), Clemson (2023), Florida (2023), Louisville (2023), Miami (2023), LSU (2022), Louisville (2022), Clemson (2022), Miami (2022), Oklahoma (2022)
