Fate has a funny way of bringing things full circle. When Jared Verse was an unknown outside linebacker at Albany, his head coach, Greg Gattuso, arranged a Zoom call for his defensive linemen with none other than Aaron Donald, a dominant defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers who Gattuso had coached in Donald’s freshman season. Little did Verse know that this encounter would foreshadow his future path.
During the call, Verse had the opportunity to pick Donald’s brain, and one of the most valuable lessons he took away was the importance of executing a few good moves exceptionally well rather than relying on an extensive arsenal. He also learned that aggression often triumphs over all else.
Fast forward to the 2023 NFL Draft, and Verse found himself being selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the 19th overall pick. This came as the first piece of the puzzle for the Rams as they attempt to move forward following Donald’s retirement in March. Verse expressed his elation, stating that it was a dream come true to hear his name called with the Rams attached to it.
At 6’4” with a 79.5-inch wingspan, Verse physically fits the mold of an edge rusher. He has earned recognition for his strength and persistent pursuit on the edge, amassing nine tackles in each of his two seasons at Florida State, both of which earned him AP second-team All-American honors.
Rams general manager Les Snead praised Verse’s passion for football and his disruptive, violent play style, describing him as the embodiment of a defensive player.
Verse will be playing opposite Byron Young as an outside linebacker for the Rams. Head coach Sean McVay also noted that Verse can move inside and line up over a guard, next to defensive tackle Kobie Turner, who was the first to reach out and offer assistance to Verse after his selection.
Verse’s journey to the NFL is a testament to his determination and resilience. He began his career at Albany at the FCS level before earning his opportunity at Florida State. He credits his hunger and the challenges he faced in the past for driving him to succeed.
Verse was the third edge rusher selected in this year’s draft. A run on quarterbacks and a record number of consecutive offensive players chosen at the outset pushed defensive players down to the Rams, but the team ultimately stayed put to make its first first-round selection since Jared Goff in 2016.
McVay expressed satisfaction that the team’s hopes of drafting Verse had come to fruition, acknowledging that they had explored other scenarios based on the decisions of the 31 other teams. He emphasized the importance of addressing the need for an outside edge rusher who can influence the game and continue to build up front.
While the Rams are not looking to directly replace Donald with a single player, Verse understands the magnitude of his absence and feels a sense of responsibility as the Rams’ first first-round selection of the McVay era. He is eager to embark on his work and contribute to his new defense.
Verse is ready to prove himself and embrace the pressure that comes with filling a void left by such a legendary player. In his own words, ‘Pressure makes diamonds, and I love pressure.’
