Jared Verse Bio
Jared Isaiah Verse (born November 4, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Albany Great Danes and Florida State Seminoles. Verse was the 2020 CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year with Albany and a two-time All-American with Florida State. Verse was selected by the Rams in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft and was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Early Life and Background
Verse was born on November 4, 2000, in Dayton, Ohio. He grew up in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Greenville, North Carolina. Verse played football at Hope Middle School and for one year at D.H. Conley High School before moving on to Central Columbia High School. Playing defensive end and tight end for the Bluejays football team, Verse earned three straight All-Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference (PHAC) honors. He also played basketball and was a member of Central Columbia’s state champion 4×400-meter relay team.
Path to the NFL
Verse began his collegiate career at the University at Albany, where he redshirted his freshman season. He made 22 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks over four games during his redshirt freshman season, which was shortened and played in early 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was named second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and won the conference’s Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In 2021, Verse was named first-team All-CAA after finishing the season with 53 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and one forced fumble.
In 2022, Verse announced he was transferring to Florida State University to play for the Seminoles. He finished his first season with the Seminoles with 48 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and nine sacks. Voted Florida State’s Defensive MVP, Verse was a first-team All-ACC selection and was named to numerous All-American teams. He was just as dominant in 2023, recording 41 total tackles with 12.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. Again named the Seminoles’ Defensive MVP, Verse earned first-team All-ACC honors for the second straight season and repeated as an All-American. Following the end of his junior season, Verse declared for the 2024 NFL draft.
Jared Verse Career
Los Angeles Rams (2024-Present)
Verse was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round, 19th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. He recorded his first career sack in a 26-20 overtime loss in his NFL debut on Sunday Night Football at Ford Field against the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Verse was later named the Defensive Rookie of the Month for September after recording 19 total tackles, five for loss, and one sack. In Week 13 against the New Orleans Saints, Verse had a strip sack on quarterback Derek Carr on fourth-and-three during the final minutes of the game to seal the win for Los Angeles.
In the Wild Card Round against the Minnesota Vikings, Verse scored his first career NFL touchdown on a 57-yard fumble recovery to help lead the Rams to a 27-9 win. In the Divisional Round against the Philadelphia Eagles, Verse contributed to a strong Rams pass-rushing performance with four tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks in the 28-22 loss. He was named the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the PFWA All-Rookie Team, as well as being voted to the Pro Bowl as the only Rams player so honored for the season. He was ranked 53rd by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Verse has established himself as one of the most explosive edge defenders in the NFL. His combination of power and speed allows him to beat offensive tackles with both bull rushes and speed rushes. He demonstrates exceptional instincts for diagnosing plays, which enables him to collapse pockets and disrupt opposing quarterbacks. His ability to finish tackles and force turnovers has made him a difference-maker on the Rams defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Verse’s rookie season was defined by several signature moments. His first career sack came in primetime against the Detroit Lions in his debut. His Week 13 strip sack against Derek Carr showcased his clutch gene in crucial moments. His 57-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown in the playoffs demonstrated his ability to make game-changing plays when it matters most.
Jared Verse Career Wins
Verse has built an impressive resume through his first two NFL seasons, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and establishing himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the league.
NFL Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Verse has recorded 124 career tackles, 12 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three pass deflections, and one touchdown. His 2024 rookie campaign saw him earn Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while leading the Rams to a playoff berth. He followed that with another Pro Bowl selection in 2025, continuing his trajectory as one of the league’s top young defenders. In Week 17 of the 2025 season against the Atlanta Falcons, Verse blocked a field goal attempt and returned it 76 yards for a touchdown.
College Highlights
Verse’s collegiate career at Albany and Florida State showcased his dominance at the FCS and FBS levels. He earned CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2020 and was a two-time First-team All-American with the Seminoles. He was a two-time First-team All-ACC selection and won Florida State’s Defensive MVP award in both 2022 and 2023.
Jared Verse Family
Family Background
Verse’s father, Eric, is a former member of the United States Marine Corps and works as an engineer. His mother, Janienne, works in marketing and helped him manage his college football recruiting. He has five siblings who have supported his journey through football.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another strong campaign for Verse as he built upon his Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He finished the regular season with 58 total tackles and 7.5 sacks while being voted to his second consecutive Pro Bowl. Verse continued to make impactful plays throughout the season, including his blocked field goal return for a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. His ability to disrupt opposing offenses remained a cornerstone of the Rams defense as the team competed for a playoff spot. Verse’s consistency and growth as an edge rusher solidified his status as one of the league’s premier defensive talents heading into the postseason.