FSU Edge Jared Verse Continues to Look Elite on Game Film

Florida State University (FSU) edge Jared Verse continued to impress in this latest six-game film study from last season.

I had a top-5 grade on him heading into the 2023 NFL Draft had he declared, and nothing has changed.

I love Verse.

He’s a dominant alpha male in the mold of Giants’ edge Kayvon Thibodeaux who went No. 5 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.

However, he’s far more polished in terms of pass-rush moves and he’s much more interested in defending the run than what Thibodeaux put on tape at Oregon.

Verse brings it. He’s a plug-and-play difference-making meter-mover.

I laugh when I see people trying to talk smack and drop his value because of his age (turns 23 in November). I just chalk that up to they must not know ball – – or be watching the film.

After bursting onto the scene last season as an Albany transfer, Verse logged 9 sacks and 17 tackles for a loss (Seminoles.com).

There’s absolutely no reason to believe the coming season will be any different.

Complete player

Some guys are just one-trick ponies so to speak who can get to the passer, but they take a pass against the run.

That’s not Verse.

While he is undoubtedly a pocket wrecker, the thing that stands out once again is how hardcore he is against the run.

This FSU edge is a banger who loves flexing his brutal raw power playing bumper cars with the big boys in congested areas. If they’re not careful, he’ll set them on their ass.

He’ll hunt and chase all the way out to the sidelines and drop into coverage every now and again.

This kind of effort is impressive to me. It shows the game of football is important to him.

Premium pass rusher

Let’s not kid ourselves, the reason a team sends the card in early is because of Verse’s blow-up-the-pocket ability.

In today’s pass-happy NFL, with 29/32 teams passing the ball more than 50% of the time (teamrankings.com), this is what it’s all about on defense.

Disrupting the pocket.

Offenses constantly need to be aware of where Verse is as he roams from side to side looking for a way into the pocket. Most of the time, he lines up standing up, but he can just as easily put his hand down in the dirt.

From there it’s all green lights – – and red capes.

The thing that stands out on game film is just how well he uses his hands.

In the interest of keeping this real, something we pride ourselves in at First Round Mock, he’s not blowing things up on every play. However, it’s often enough, and even when he’s not making the play, he’s typically within striking distance.

#5 Jared Verse 6-foot-4, 253 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Summer 2023 Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by 88.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of July 23, 2023 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

Previous article (2022: 3 games evaluated) FSU Pass Rusher Jared Verse Shows Explosive Brute Power

Additional 2022 game film reviewed: Lousiville, Florida, Oklahoma, Syracuse, and Miami (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2022 stats: 47 tackles (22 solo), 25 assists and 9 sacks

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Thick muscular framed skilled pass rusher with long arms, burst and accelerating close. Flashes fast first step. A real handful who packs a punch at the point to create separation and then get through the back door of the pocket. Physical. Creates serious collisions. Demonstrates a full arsenal of pass rush moves including head fake, club, spin, swim, power slap, and bull rush. Constantly testing tackles and switching things up. Effective stunting inside and firing straight up the pocket to create pressure. Didn’t show the ability to quickly adjust in the pocket. His change of direction looked more rounded. Good lateral speed and range. Active fighter against the run. Crashes down and disengages hard inside. Strong wrapping tackler. Hammers ball carriers. Able to drop into shallow zones in pass coverage and carry backs in man. He can run.

What to watch for during the 2023 college football season

1. Sack production increase?

2. Pressures increase?

3. Ability to change direction quickly in the pocket shown?

4. Stay healthy?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.