FSU football: Is Jared Verse ready to make an impact versus Clemson?

FSU football fans have expressed their concerns about the lack of production from redshirt junior defensive end Jared Verse, who had a remarkable 2022 campaign which included having 48 total tackles (17.5 tackles for loss) and nine sacks.

The Albany transfer decided to come back to Tallahassee for another season instead of opting to enter the NFL Draft. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been the statistical season through three games of the 2023 season that many individuals had hoped for, where Verse has only recorded six total tackles (1.5 tackles for loss) and zero sacks.

Head football coach Mike Norvell spoke with the media on Wednesday to discuss Verse’s performance this season:

"“It’s not stats that put you on a list, it’s performance. There are guys that have some really good games where you get plenty of opportunities. If you are going out there and doing your job where you are executing and playing at an elite level then you are doing what you set out for. Everyone wants to have the stat that follows up with that, but those will come.”"

Norvell seems to have supreme confidence in Verse’s ability and believes he’s been playing well. The Seminoles have a tough task in front of them as they face off against the likes of the Clemson Tigers on Saturday, who they haven’t beaten since 2014.

If FSU wants the opportunity to defeat the Tigers in their home environment, then Verse will have to be a factor in the game to make Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik’s life miserable in the pocket. Verse had five tackles and a tackle for a loss in last year’s matchup, and this could be the game he could assert himself. I don’t think Clemson’s offense line is as good as LSU’s, and Clemson’s QB could find himself in third and long situations if they can’t establish the traditional run game. However, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Klubnik use his legs.

While I understand that most opposing teams are double-teaming (and even triple-teaming at times) him on various occasions, I still believe that the talented defender is one of the most gifted pass rushers in college football. It is just a matter of time before he gets back to impacting games on the stat sheet.