Jared Verse reveals how Oklahoma trash talk fueled him for game-sealing play
If Oklahoma was going to have a chance in the Cheez-It Bowl against Florida State, they were going to have to contain defensive end Jared Verse. The Albany transfer had been one of the best in the ACC this season but was held intact by the Sooners on Thursday. Verse finished with two tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and 1.5 sacks.
However, that full sack was an important one. Verse was able to end the game by getting to Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel, watching the clocks hit zero.
As if the Florida State star defender wasn’t motivated enough, the opposing Oklahoma offensive line provided extra motivation. He said there was some trash talk between him and right tackle Tyler Guyton, with Verse getting the last overall laugh.
“The whole game, they did a very good job containing me,” Verse said. “That right tackle, I don’t know his name — he was very good. He let me up a couple times but I love to talk. That last play, I remember vividly. He looked at me and said ‘you’re not going to do nothing in the league. You’re not going to make it to the league.’
“I told him ‘watch this next play.’ I got the sack, we see the clock — three seconds left. Time running out. I started laughing at him… it’s over. It was a great feeling.”
Once Verse got done telling the story, head coach Mike Norvell was impressed with how descriptive Verse was. Obviously, the moment will stick with him for some time to come.
As for Verse possibly making the NFL, he was projected to go in the first round in Todd McShay’s first mock draft of the year. He was selected 30th overall, a pick currently held by the Minnesota Vikings but at the time, Kansas City was the team.
If he continues to make plays such as the final one, he will for sure be making his way to the league within the next few months.
But at the moment, the NFL was most likely far from Verse’s mind. He was looking to help get a tenth win for Florida State and help conclude a great season for Norvel. 2016 was the last double-digit victory season for the Seminoles, coming under Jimbo Fisher.
It’s been a tough but worthwhile rebuild these past three years. Jared Verse was there to secure the special moment, with some extra motivation.