Jared Verse shares on considering the NFL, returning to Florida State

One of the best defensive players in the nation opted to return to Florida State, with edge rusher Jared Verse making the decision to refine his craft for another year before heading to the professional ranks.

But Verse has gotten a little taste of what this time next year might look for him, taking part in an NFL Combine-like event for players still a year out from the real thing.

“It was good because on the TV you see one thing, you see everybody straight-faced, stern,” Verse explained. “Kind of like whatever. But out there it’s like people are smiling, people are happy, lot of people are happy to be there, happy to showcase their talents.

“Everybody’s hyping each other up, like quarterbacks are throwing the ball and other quarterbacks are hyping them up. It’s competition but at the same time you want everybody to do what’s best for them.”

For Verse, the goal is to become one of the top players selected in the 2024 NFL Draft after he helps Florida State take the next step as a program.

And the ‘Noles are certainly in position to do that with quarterback Jordan Travis back after the team won 10 games in 2022.

Jared Verse honing his technical ability

For his part in Florida State’s 2023 ambitions, Jared Verse is working on ensuring he’s the most technically-refined pass rusher he can be.

He wants to not only be technically and fundamentally sound, too, but he wants to be able to anticipate and read the game better. All those things go hand in hand.

“It was just getting better on the technical side of things,” Verse said. “In the offseason I feel like physically I could have left and I would have been fine going to the NFL physically, but the mental side of things that I need to get better at, that’s one thing coach (Mike) Norvell very much hammered when we were talking. He was like, ‘We’ve got to do this better, do that better technical-wise.'”

Verse started nine games for Florida State last season, recording 48 tackles, 17.0 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, three quarterback hurries, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal.