As the college football season barrels forward, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Jared Verse.

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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jared Verse

Jared Verse (DE – Florida State)

6’4” – 260 lbs.

Background:

Originally attended Albany, redshirted and then posted 22-10-4 over just four games in the shortened 2020 season. Verse then posted an outstanding line of 75-21.5-14.5 as a sophomore. He transferred to Florida State prior to the 2022 season, where he’s started in almost all of his appearances and put together a highly productive line of 48-17.0-9.0 as a member of the line rotation. Hasn’t been quite as impactful this season so far.

Positives:

Was able to step right into a major role and produce. Takes some snaps standing up in addition to the four-point stance he usually works out of; lines up on both sides of the defense. Dangerous pass-rusher who drew lots of attention from opposing blockers. Quick reactions to the ball being snapped. Explosive out of his stance, with a low pad level and very impressive functional strength for a player his size. Violent bull-rusher who can walk back opposing tackles; really jolts opponents on contact and flashes excellent leg drive. Good suddenness to threaten gaps. Mixes in some different moves to vary his rush approach and keep defenses guessing. Shows nice flexibility to finish his rushes and hunt down quarterbacks. Bends a tight arc when working around the edge. Active with his hands to shed and make plays in the run game. Favors a more aggressive approach, but is able to get extension and hold the point of attack as a two-gapper. Pretty good discipline on the backside. Shows a solid motor to pursue toward the sidelines.

Negatives:

Has struggled to replicate his 2022 impact this season, and didn’t look as relentless during some of the 2023 games reviewed. Frame is a bit linear, and hasn’t been quite as effective after adding bulk this year. Can play a little bit out of control. Center of gravity can be too high at times. Some balance issues crop up when he’s coming off of blocks. Could do a better job of locating the ball while engaged. Can rush too far upfield and create lanes in the run game. Spin is probably his most commonly-used counter, but doesn’t have too much explosiveness to it. Didn’t see him working in coverage during the games reviewed, and has taken just a handful of snaps of that type.

Summary:

His outstanding functional strength and the violence with which he bull-rushes opposing tackles really stand out; those traits are combined with a relatively wide range of rush moves to keep opponents guessing. Looks like he could make an early impact as a rotational pass-rusher early and eventually develop into a quality starter when he cleans up his game a little bit more and plays with the more consistent physicality and urgency he showed in 2022. May have gone higher had he come out last year, but still looks like a first-round pick.

Projection: Round 1