Jared Verse evaluates how he, Florida State have grown since last season

Florida State defensive end Jared Verse splashed onto the scene in his first season with the Seminoles after joining the team last offseason. He could have easily declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and likely would have been a high pick, but chose to return to Tallahassee for another season.

Following the Seminoles’ spring game, Verse spoke about why he came back for another year, and in the process detailed how the team and himself have personally grown so far.

“I think definitely from my personal aspect before I speak about the team, was I got better,” Verse said “One big reason I did come back was to get better, and it wasn’t anything major like was trying to get faster or stronger, which I do want to do. But it was the smaller things, the things that other people would see when they really focus up on the film, not everyone’s gonna see. So that’s something I really focus on.”

Verse being an improved player is a scary idea for ACC offenses headed into the 2023 season. Last season after transferring from Albany where he was an FCS Freshman All-American, Verse went on to earn first-team All-ACC honors last season (receiving the most All-ACC votes for a defensive player in the conference). He was also named a first-team All-American by ‘The Athletic’, recording nine sacks and 17 tackles for loss in 2022.

“And just on a team aspect I came back just to see us all get better as a whole team. I mean you guys just saw it, on the offense side Tron (Kentron Poitier) went crazy today, he had some crazy plays and I’m like okay. And we had the young guys come in making big plays and I’m like okay, this is what I came back for,” Verse said.

Verse hasn’t only seen improvement from Florida State’s offense, but their defense as well, as they return the ACC’s top scoring offense and defense heading into next season.

“That’s just on the offense end, on the defense end we had some big plays made. Some of the young guys, some guys got switched positions and they’re making big plays. I just came to see us all get better and that’s exactly what I saw and I’m happy I came back, so happy,” Verse concluded.

There are high expectations for the Seminoles heading into the season, mainly because impact players and leaders like Verse have returned to the team. And if he and others can continue to improve heading into the season, Florida State will have a great chance at living up to those high standards that have been set.