Jared Verse Bio
Jared Verse is an American professional football linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). Born on November 4, 2000, in Dayton, Ohio, Verse played college football for the Albany Great Danes and the Florida State Seminoles before entering the NFL. Selected by the Rams in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, he quickly established himself as one of the league’s most promising young pass rushers and earned the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in his debut season.
Early Life and Background
Jared Verse was born on November 4, 2000, in Dayton, Ohio. He grew up in Berwick, Pennsylvania, before his family moved to Greenville, North Carolina. Verse began playing football at Hope Middle School and later attended Central Columbia High School, where he competed for the Bluejays football team. Playing both defensive end and tight end, he earned three straight All-Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference (PHAC) honors.
Beyond football, Verse was a multi-sport athlete at Central Columbia. He played basketball and was a member of the school’s state champion 4×400-meter relay team, an experience that helped him develop the speed and explosiveness that later translated to the defensive line. His combination of size, athleticism, and competitive drive drew attention from college programs along the East Coast.
Path to American Football
Verse began his college career at the University at Albany, where he redshirted his freshman season. His redshirt freshman campaign in early 2021 was shortened because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still managed 22 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and four sacks over four games. His impact was immediate, as he was named second-team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and won the CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
In his second season at Albany in 2021, Verse emerged as one of the top defensive players in the conference. He recorded 53 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and one forced fumble, earning first-team All-CAA recognition. Seeking a bigger stage, Verse announced in 2022 that he was transferring to Florida State University to compete in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), a move that set the stage for his rise as a national prospect.
Jared Verse Career
Florida State Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Verse made an immediate impact with the Florida State Seminoles in 2022. He finished his first season with 48 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and nine sacks, earning Florida State’s Defensive MVP award. His dominant play earned him first-team All-ACC honors and selections to multiple All-American teams, establishing him as one of the top defensive prospects in college football.
In 2023, Verse was just as productive, recording 41 total tackles with 12.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He repeated as Florida State’s Defensive MVP, earned first-team All-ACC honors for the second straight season, and was again named an All-American. Following his junior season, Verse declared for the 2024 NFL draft, where he was widely regarded as one of the elite edge rushers in the class.
Los Angeles Rams Era (2024–Present)
The Los Angeles Rams selected Verse in the first round, 19th overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. He recorded his first career sack in his NFL debut, a 26–20 overtime loss on Sunday Night Football at Ford Field against the Detroit Lions in Week 1. Verse was later named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month for September after recording 19 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and one sack, signaling his rapid adjustment to the professional level.
Verse continued to produce throughout his rookie season and delivered one of its most memorable moments in the Wild Card Round against the Minnesota Vikings, when he scored his first career NFL touchdown on a 57-yard fumble recovery to help lead the Rams to a 27–9 win. At the end of the year, he was named the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and was selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. He was also recognized as a Pro Bowl selection following his debut campaign.
Driving Style and Strengths
Verse plays with a powerful blend of size, explosiveness, and relentless motor that defines his identity as an edge rusher. His background as a multi-sport athlete, including track and field, gives him the burst off the line and the lateral quickness needed to win against offensive tackles. He combines physical strength at the point of attack with the discipline to set the edge in run defense, making him a complete defensive end.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Verse’s early career is his 57-yard fumble recovery touchdown in the 2024 Wild Card Round against the Minnesota Vikings, which showcased his game-changing speed and awareness. He also became the first Rams rookie defender to earn the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and earned Pro Bowl recognition in each of his first two NFL seasons, an unusual level of early acclaim.
Jared Verse Career Wins
Although linebackers and defensive ends are not measured by traditional win totals, Verse’s resume is decorated with awards that reflect his production and impact. He has earned first-team All-American honors twice, first-team All-ACC honors twice, and the 2020 CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year award. In the NFL, he has added two Pro Bowl selections, the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, and a place on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
College Career Highlights
Verse earned second-team All-CAA recognition and the CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year award during the pandemic-shortened 2021 season at Albany. The following year, he was named first-team All-CAA after recording 53 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks. At Florida State, he was a two-time first-team All-ACC selection and a two-time All-American, while also earning the Seminoles’ Defensive MVP award in both 2022 and 2023.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his conference and national awards, Verse earned three straight All-Pennsylvania Heartland Athletic Conference honors at Central Columbia High School and was part of a state champion 4×400-meter relay team, illustrating the athletic foundation that has supported his rise through the sport.
Jared Verse Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Verse was raised across multiple states during his childhood, moving from his birthplace of Dayton, Ohio, to Berwick, Pennsylvania, and later to Greenville, North Carolina. His family supported his athletic development as he transitioned between schools and sports.
Personal Life
Verse is focused on his professional football career with the Los Angeles Rams. He maintains an active presence on social media, where he shares updates about his training and his time with the team.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Verse is expected to play a central role in the Los Angeles Rams’ defensive front. After a stellar rookie campaign in which he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Rams have continued to build their defense around his ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks and set the edge against the run.
Verse earned his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection, underscoring his continued growth and consistency. He will look to build on the momentum of his rookie postseason moment, the 57-yard fumble recovery touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings, as the Rams aim for another deep playoff run.
With a full NFL offseason to refine his technique and a clear role within the Rams’ defensive scheme, Verse enters 2025 as one of the most promising young edge rushers in the league. His combination of size, speed, and production suggests his best football is still ahead of him.