FSU football: Former defensive end Jared Verse favorite to win DROTY award

Florida State football has been embarrassing this season, with a 1-9 record. The Seminoles had aspiration of winning the conference championship and making it to the College Football Playoff.

Fans thought this would allow the team to get revenge for the committee inserting one-loss Alabama instead of undefeated Florida State. The players and coaching staff might have let the adversity get to their head.

That 2023 version of the Seminoles had several talented pieces on offense and defense. One player that I know who the 2024 squad needed was defensive end Jared Verse. The talented defender recorded 89 tackles (30 for loss) and 18 sacks during his two-year career with the Seminoles.

With his performance, he was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. The program seemed to be in a rebuild after losing future Hall of Famer defensive lineman Aaron Donald.

The Rams are seeing the return on investment on Verse. He has made his presence known on opposing offensive lines. He accumulated 37 tackles (11 for loss), 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Verse is now the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Seminole faithful were not surprised. Unlike 2024, the coaching staff hit on the pass rusher, who was coveted by many programs before selecting Florida State.

I wish that it amounted to the current team attracting defensive ends on the roster. While I do think Marvin Jones Jr. and Sione Lolohea are serviceable transfers, it should have allowed the program to go star gazing for a player such as Nic Scourton at Texas A&M.

Nonetheless, I am so happy for Verse and his success in the NFL. He deserves all of this recognition because of how hard he works and how dedicated he is to his craft.