Former FSU DE Jared Verse speaks about Orange Bowl opt-out at NFL Scouting Combine

FSU football had a remarkable 2023 season filled with excitement from going undefeated in the regular season and securing an ACC Championship. However, the joy was ruined when the College Football Playoff committee elected to leave the Seminoles out of the playoff for a one-loss Alabama.

The coaching staff, players, and fans will likely never forget the moment when the committee left them out. Several contributors elected to miss out on the Orange Bowl versus the Georgia Bulldogs.

Star defensive end Jared Verse, who has been projected to go in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, was asked about opting-out of the bowl game at the scouting combine.

While it is frustrating that Verse said two months after the contest that he wished that he wouldn't have opted out, it is encouraging to see the defender realize has grown in that aspect of his life. I didn't mind the comments that he made.

It had to be a difficult decision for all of those involved, especially when his team should have been in the playoffs and had their opportunity ripped away from them. While some individuals will point to Georgia's players playing in the bowl game, they had their opportunity to make it to the College Football Playoff and lost in their conference championship to Alabama. Florida State did not lose a game.

During the 2023 season, Verse recorded 41 total tackles (12.5 for loss) and 9 sacks for the Seminoles. The talented pass rusher did everything he could for the university.

While there had been offensive deficiencies from Florida State in the ACC Championship versus the Louisville Cardinals, the Seminoles' defense held the Cardinals to just 188 total yards and they converted on 3 of their 18 third-down opportunities.

Overall, I am so glad that Verse has an opportunity to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing professional football. He will be missed by the Seminole faithful.