Akeem Dent explains emotions of Jared Verse returning to Florida State

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Can Florida State handle the PRESSURE heading into 2023? | Mike Norvell, Jordan Travis

Akeem Dent didn’t need FSU defensive lineman Jared Verse to inform him he was returning for the upcoming season. Dent claims he could tell simply by the way Verse walked around the facility. Whether true or not, Dent is happy to see the standout defender return to the Seminoles.

“That was a blessing. My boy, Verse, everybody loves my boy,” Dent said on Thursday. “When he came back, we were like, ‘Yeah that just completed our D-line once again.’ So, we got two powerful edge rushers. You know our D-line is already monsters. With Verse coming back, yeah.”

Dent’s excitement is understandable. After transferring to FSU for his redshirt sophomore season, Verse started nine games last season, tallying 48 tackles, 17.0 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, three quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal.

Verse’s individual impact rang throughout the Seminoles’ defense. FSU’s defense allowed just 307.4 yards per game, ranking 14th in the nation. One year earlier, the Seminoles ranked 65th at 377.8 opponent yards per outing.

With the most returning production in the nation and a fantastic incoming freshmen class, FSU is poised for an even better season. Dent, for one, believes Verse made the right decision.

“I knew he was coming back. He didn’t tell me that but I knew it. I always had a feeling he was going to come back,” Dent said. “I feel like he probably made the right decision. For a natty, even attempting a natty or going to a natty, I don’t think he could buy that either.”

It’s one of the few things Verse wouldn’t be able to buy. After a breakout season with the Seminoles, experts projected Verse to be a first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Nonetheless, the 6-foot-4 redshirt junior decided to run it back in Tallahassee.

Verse isn’t letting the outside expectations affect his game.

“Honestly? My biggest concern with having all this hype was I wasn’t going to be able to maintain what I’ve gotten used to, my work ethic and everything like that,” Verse said. “I’ve just been focused to keep working, keep working on what got me here and what’ll get me even further. I’ve just been focused on that.”

If Verse pushes his talents further in 2023, opposing offenses should be worried. He was first-team All-ACC last season, while receiving the most All-ACC votes on defense. Watch Verse reach for new heights on Sept. 3 when the Seminoles take on LSU in their season opener.