November 22, 2024

THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams speaks during a press conference at mini-camp at California Lutheran University on June 13, 2023 in Thousand Oaks, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

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Two of FSU’s top draft picks will once again team up on the defensive line.

With the 2024 NFL Draft having come to an end, the Florida State Seminoles once again find themselves in the spotlight, adding onto a streak with at least one Seminole drafted that spans 40 years. This year, however, was just the fourth time in program history that at least ten former FSU standouts were lucky enough to hear their name called on draft day.

Two of those Seminoles will once again team up, this time wearing the yellow and royal blue for the Los Angeles Rams. In 2023, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske were one of the top defensive line duos in the country, starting all 13 games they played in and wreaking havoc on opposing offenses.

Earlier this week, the LA Rams announced the jersey numbers for the incoming draft class, with Verse wearing No. 8 and Fiske once again donning No. 55. This is a new number for Verse as he wore No. 23 in high school, No. 96 at Albany before transferring to FSU, and No. 5 during his time in the garnet and gold.

After starting the first 13 games of the season and after recording 41 total tackles, with 12.5 for loss as well as 9.5 sacks, Verse was named a 1st team AFCA All-American. This was enough for the LA Rams to select the defensive end with the 19th overall pick in the Draft.

In his lone season as a Seminole, Fiske was a starter for the first 13 games of the season and recorded 43 tackles, 9 TFLs, and 6.0 sacks. In the ACC Championship game, Fiske recorded 4.5 TFLs and 3.0 sacks. The 3rd team AP All-American and 2nd team All-ACC defensive lineman was selected 39th overall by the Rams in the second round.

The pair of Seminoles have an opportunity to dominate offensive lines in Los Angeles over the coming years.

 

Both being drafted last week, Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson and Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Jared Verse have gone from Florida State teammates to NFC Division foes instantly.

At the 2024 NFL Draft, Verse was selected by the Rams with the No. 16 overall pick in the first round. With the 66th pick in the third round, Benson went to the Cardinals.

Last season, Florida State would finish 13-1 overall and 8-0 in the ACC while also playing in the 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl. The Seminoles would just miss the cut for a College Football Playoff berth.

For the past two seasons, both Benson and Verse have been FSU teammates.

First at Oregon for two years (2020-21), Benson then transferred to Florida State. The 21-year-old racked up 1,895 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns from 310 carries in 26 games.

Verse originally began his college career at Albany for three seasons (2019-21) before he transferred as well. The Pennsylvania native played 26 games, totaling 70 tackles, 13 sacks and defended three passes.

Rivalry Already Alive
Even though they haven’t played a second in the NFL, both are already fired up over the heated rivalry.

On the Arizona Sports radio show “Burns and Gambo,” Benson was in the middle of being interviewed until host John Gambadoro asked a question about how Verse would defend him.

As a coincidence, Verse was in the same room together as Benson and joined the call, responding to the claim he made that he would not hold back when going up against Benson.

“I’m taking the paint off his helmet!” Verse said. “I’m taking the paint off this man’s helmet! I couldn’t hit him in practice! He gonna get this in game!”

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