Why Florida State vs. LSU can be a showcase for All-American Jared Verse’s growth

The moment that transformed Jared Verse from an FCS defensive end into a future first-team FBS All-American occurred in a September 2021 game at Syracuse. On the surface, it was a 62-24 drubbing of Albany at the hands of the Orange, serving as a tune-up before their ACC opener against Florida State two weeks later. But for Verse, it was a breakthrough. He spent the afternoon terrorizing Orange quarterback Garrett Shrader and hunting down running back Sean Tucker.

As Florida State prepared for Syracuse, Verse couldn’t help but catch the eye of Seminoles defensive coordinator Adam Fuller, who took note of his athleticism.

“I noticed this freak show running around,” Fuller said. “He was playing harder than anyone else on tape. It seemed like everyone else was moving in slow motion. I didn’t know who he was, but I felt the need to keep an eye out on him.”

Few knew who Verse was coming out of high school in Pennsylvania. The lanky, 215-pound tight end had one scholarship offer to Albany, where head coach Greg Gattuso pegged him as a potential rush end in the Danes’ 4-3 scheme. Gattuso is no stranger to D-line play — he started at DT for Penn State’s 1982 national championship team and recruited Aaron Donald to Pitt — and said it didn’t take long for Verse to make an impact.

“He went right into the scout team as a frosh and drove our offense crazy,” he said.