The transfer portal era has given players the opportunity to move up the ranks if their performance warrants it. While it’s not crazy to see a player move from the FCS to the FBS level, few have had the meteoric rise of Florida State Seminoles edge rusher Jared Verse.
Verse’s college stats show the progression of a powerful and potent playmaker who went from an FCS redshirt to a likely first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Jared Verse’s Time at Albany: The Journey Begins
Verse was just 6’3″, 200 pounds out of high school, and signed with the only team to extend an offer, the in-state Albany Great Danes. He didn’t even crack the rotation in 2019, redshirting without seeing action in a single game.
In 2020, the global pandemic hit, and Albany played just four games. Yet in that sparse opportunity, Verse was dominant, racking up 10 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.
In 2021, Verse continued his dominance, picking up 9.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. His play was impressive enough to attract Power Five attention, with Florida State landing the highly sought-after pass rusher.
Verse left the Great Danes having accrued the following college stats at the FCS level:
Tackles: 74
Tackles For Loss: 21.5
Sacks: 13.5
Forced Fumbles: 2
Florida State Debut: A Star From the Start
Despite being well-regarded by recruiting services during the transfer process, Verse started his Florida State career under the radar. He had a solid start to the season against FCS Duquesne, but his performance in his first FBS game put him on the radar of casual college football fans.
Against LSU in Week 2 of the 2022 season, Verse was unblockable. He racked up 2.5 tackles for loss, including two sacks, and lived in the backfield.
He’d have a solid year in his first FBS campaign, finishing with another multi-sack performance in the Cheez-It Bowl against Oklahoma.
Tackles: 48
Tackles For Loss: 17.0
Sacks: 9.0
Fumble Recoveries: 1
Final Year as a Seminole
In 2023, LSU was able to contain Verse, but few other teams on the schedule had similar luck. The FSU pass rusher had four multi-sack games, including in the regular season finale against the in-state rival Florida Gators and the ACC Championship Game against the Louisville Cardinals.
KEEP READING: Florida State Seminoles Coaching Staff 2024
The overall numbers took a bit of a dip, but that was mostly due to the abundant talent around him. Verse finished his career with six tackles for loss across his final two games and left little doubt that he’d be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Tackles: 41
Tackles For Loss: 12.5
Sacks: 9.0
Fumble Recoveries: 1
Forced Fumbles: 1
Jared Verse’s Final College Stats
Tackles: 163
Tackles For Loss: 51
Sacks: 31.5
Fumble Recoveries: 2
Forced Fumbles: 3
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