Jared Verse on facing LSU offensive tackles: Iron sharpens iron

As a whole, the Florida State–LSU war is going to be a fascinating one. Two preseason top-10 teams meeting in Orlando in what could be a statement game for both. In order for the Seminoles to get a win, a few battles will have to go their way. None will be more watched than Jared Verse going up against the two talented LSU offensive tackles.

There might not be a tougher matchup for Verse this season than Will Campbell and Emery Jones. No matter which side of the formation Verse lines up on, he will have an All-SEC caliber player in his way of quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Verse is more than up for the challenge. He believes going up against Campbell and Jones will only make him a better player. Especially since both are entering their sophomore seasons and will surely be improved compared to the 2022 matchup.

“I love it because I believe Iron Sharpens Iron,” Verse said during Monday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “I’ve always wanted to get better as a player. The only way to get better is to play the best. Here, we have some of the best tackles in the country, I’ll argue anyone on that. But going up against those guys, who, they are some of the best in the country.

“They were freshmen last year, now they’re sophomores. They’re a lot stronger, learned so much. I’m like ‘I’m ready to see how much they’ve grown’ for myself. Because film and real life are two different things.”

Campbell will be protecting Daniels’ blindside and was voted a preseason first-team All-SEC. Jones will be on the other end and was a preseason third-team member. In what head coach Brian Kelly likely could have considered a question entering last year’s Florida State game, both tackle spots are now locked down for the foreseeable future.

Verse had success against the duo last season, being just his second game in a Florida State uniform. He recorded just three tackles but had 2.5 tackles for a loss and 2.0 sacks. Putting up a similar type of stat line would go a huge way toward securing a win for the Seminoles.

But no matter the result, Verse knows he will be getting better as a player. The goal at the end of the season will be to be ready for the NFL. Campbell and Jones will both be players Verse has the potential of facing down the road on Sundays.