Jared Verse glows over Florida State players not opting out

There has been a growing trend in college football over the last few seasons where players opt out of the bowl game. Typically, they do this to avoid injury ahead of the NFL Draft. However, with the transfer portal, now there are even more players skipping bowls in search of new teams. This hasn’t been the case at Florida State this season, though, which Jared Verse praised the team for.

The question of opt-outs came during a press conference for the Cheez-It Bowl.

“It’s the brotherhood,” Jared Verse said. “Everybody’s like I want another chance to play with my brothers. Nobody’s taking anything for granted.”

“This is the last time this group specifically will ever be together and it’s just really good to kind of come out here, enjoy time with each other, go out, mess around, complain about who got the cheesy room and who don’t–It’s just good to kind of be with everybody again. I don’t think anybody on the roster would give that up.”

Jared Verse, an edge rusher who transferred to Florida State from Albany, has been a revelation for the Seminoles. In 11 games this season, Verse has 7.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He was a First-Team All-ACC talent this season.

Florida State hasn’t played in a bowl game since 2019 before the Mike Norvell era began. However, the Seminoles haven’t won a bowl game since 2017.

Jared Verse on his future with Florida State

Despite his decision to play in the bowl game, there are still questions about Jared Verse’s future with Florida State. Most importantly, will he declare for the NFL Draft? However, as Verse explained, he’s still making that decision.

“I’m still talking to my family, deciding what is best for me; what’s best for my family moving forward,” Jared Verse said. “But I have been very communicative with the coaches and the staff working around me. They have been very helpful, giving me the information I need. But it’s just whenever I feel right about it.”