Florida State football had a sensational 2023 campaign that resulted in an undefeated regular season and a conference championship. The Seminoles were unfortunately left out of the College Football Playoff for a one-loss Alabama squad that many fans still have PTSD over.
During that period, the selection committee stated that Florida State is nothing without the services of talented quarterback Jordan Travis. That was as far from the truth as possible. On that dreaded December day, head football coach Mike Norvell knew that he had a special team, and the committee did not give them a chance to compete.
Florida State had pieces such as Jordan Travis, Trey Benson, Keon Coleman, Johnny Wilson, Jaheim Bell, Jared Verse, Braden Fiske, Fabien Lovett Sr., Tatum Bethune, Kalen DeLoach, Renardo Green, Jarrian Jones, and Akeem Dent.
Two rookies who made some noise in the NFL landscape were defensive end Jared Verse and defensive tackle Braden Fiske, who were selected by the Los Angeles Rams.
They were both up for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. That was how dominant they were. The Los Angeles Rams were thought to be in a rebuilding year after Future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald unexpectedly retired.
However, Verse and Fiske made their impact felt where the Rams made the NFL Playoffs. On Thursday night, Verse won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
there's our DROY 🥹
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) February 7, 2025
📺 NFL Honors on @NFLonFOX | @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/rbSixraonS
The former Florida State pass rusher recorded 66 total tackles with 4.5 sacks during the 2024 regular season. Then he recorded two sacks in the NFC Divisional Playoff matchup versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
I cannot wait to see how Verse's NFL career blossoms. Let's not forget the incredible season that defensive tackle Braden Fiske had, too. Having 8.5 sacks as an interior defensive lineman is impressive, and he also had a combined 1.5 sacks in the NFL Playoffs against the Vikings and Eagles.