Jordan Travis admits 'not everyone liked Jared Verse the first day he came in'

When thinking of why Florida State is going to be successful in 2023, the players instantly come to mind. Quarterback Jordan Travis on the offensive end, while Jared Verse is back for another season in Tallahassee. Sure, their on-field performances will ultimately lead to wins and losses. But those two have really stepped up as leaders for the Seminoles.

Now, wind the tape back to this time last year, and according to Travis, not everybody liked Verse. A transfer in from Albany, Travis said there was some pushback to Verse’s presence in the locker room at the beginning. However, the team grew to respond to his leadership, especially when he began to perform on the field.

“Jared Verse from the first day,” Travis said at the 2023 ACC Football Kickoff. “Not everyone liked Jared Verse the first day he came in. He’s a loud guy. The work ethic he has, it just makes you love a guy like that. Because no matter what, he talks a lot but he backs it up every single time.”

Verse was instantly able to produce in a Florida State uniform, especially against LSU in Week 1. In the program’s biggest win of the season, Verse had just three tackles but 2.5 tackles for a loss and 2.0 sacks.

Having an outside voice come into the locker room can be difficult for players to adapt to, especially a loud one. Verse was able to back it all up by showing his teammates what he can do on the field.

Jordan Travis speaks on current state of Florid State culture

Usually, when a program like Florida State is going through a rebuild, head coaches are the ones going through the tough stretches. Some eventually break out and get the train back on the right track. Mike Norvell was brought in three seasons ago looking to get the Seminoles back into the national conversation and has done so ahead of 2023.

Rarely, though, do coaches have the luxury of having the same quarterback throughout the process. Norvell has been lucky with Travis, having him there from Day One. Travis has experienced his own ups and down on the field but shined in 2022.

Now along with the likes of Verse, Travis has become a true leader for Florida State. He’s part of the transition of a “player-led” locker room where Norvell was previously the one setting the culture.

“I would say it starts in the locker room,” Travis said. “It comes down to the players. We’re out there on gameday, playing the game. I feel like we are a player-led team now. Back then, it was all coach-led and that was our main problem. We got guys that are stepping up and speaking out… Just got a bunch of guys that are leading.”