After being important players in their universities, rookies must once again earn their places in the pros. Who are they and what hopes do they raise? Today, Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams.
Jared Verse
Born November 4, 2000 in Dayton, Ohio
1m94 for 115 kilos
Edge, Los Angeles Rams
An unexpected journey
From 2014 to 2023, NFL quarterbacks were under the yoke of an evil master: Aaron Donald. Like Sauron in Tolkien's work, he transformed the green pastures of the NFL lawns into a field of desolation: 577 tackles including 116 sacks! Three times voted best defender of the year and also winner of a ring: the one engraved for Super Bowl LVI.
To achieve his goal of replacing this master of despair, Jared Verse was able to leave his native county and cross the country. During his press conference at the 2024 NFL Combine, he presented himself as a survivor.
“I shouldn't be here.” I shouldn't have even gone to Florida State. If you had said back then in my high school that I would play in the NFL, no one would have believed you! “.
Totally ignored by recruiters, only a second division university (FCS) offered him a scholarship. In 2019, he took classes in Albany but did not play (redshirt).
The scholarship being minimal in this small college north of New York, he also has to work as a deliveryman for Amazon and for DoorDashan equivalent to Uber Eats Or Deliveroo that we know in France.
The following season, he signed 4 sacks in 4 games! But covid-19 is interrupting sporting activities around the world. In an interview with Pro Football Talk, he confided that he took advantage of this forced cut.
“During the pandemic, since we can't go out much, my father bought me some weight training equipment. When I came back the following year, I had gained 15 kilos of muscle! Some teammates even asked me if I had taken steroids because I had strengthened my body.”
Stronger than ever in 2021, he reigns in the trenches by signing 10.5 sacks in 11 games! From then on, leading universities like LSU, USC and Florida State courted him for a transfer: the journey is immense for an unranked player coming out of high school.
His tortuous journey is reminiscent of that of his new teammate, a defensive lineman like him. Kobie Turner was also not recruited by a first division university. But moving from modest Richmond to Wake Forest in 2022, he also knew how to branch off towards a brighter place to get noticed.
The two now find themselves in the community of Rams, like Sam and Frodo in “Lord of the Rings”.
The Ring of Power
To forge the 2021 NFL champion ring, the Los Angeles Rams did not skimp on means. For ages! From 2016 to 2024, they traded seven 1st round picks to enlist Jared Goff, Brandin Cooks, Jalen Ramsey and finally General Matthew Stafford into their army.
The strategy paid off, as the Rams were able to cross the NFL middle earth, reaching the mountain of destiny on February 14, 2022: victory in the Super Bowl against Cincinnati!
In 2024, they finally chose a player in the 1st round of the draft! Needing to strengthen the defensive line after the retirement of the exceptional Aaron Donald, the manager decided to recruit an “edge rusher” born in the same city as his coach: Jared Verse comes from Dayton, Ohio, like Sean McVay.
The skin changer
In high school, football players play both offense and defense. Receivers/cornerbacks, runners/linebackers or offensive and defensive lineman. If he played on the defensive line, Jared Verse also played tight end. During his last year of high school, he had more receptions than tackles! Tight-end was his favored position but he changed it.
“Playing offense is fun: catching the ball, scoring a touchdown and celebrating with your teammates. But being able to put someone on the ground is even better! “, he declared to the Times Union
Such Beorn the “skin changer” of JRR Tolkien's stories, Jared Verse knows how to successfully transition from one state to another.
The Battle of the Four Armies
The lands to the west on the map are at war! The San Francisco 49ers' naval force has won three battles in the last six years in NFC West. And the Cardinals' air squads are reinvigorated by the return of Kyler Murray and the addition of junior Marvin Harrison.
Further north, the people of Seattle put up fierce resistance under the command of Mike McDonald. To be able to compete, Sean McVay's troops are showing creativity in attacking opponents. They also need to be able to disrupt attackers.
According to the ESPN storytellers, Jared Verse starts this new adventure by being the 6th best in the NFL at putting quarterbacks under pressure. Whether defending the air or ground attacks, he is the best among beginners!
If he is still far from being able to make us dream of “The Return of the King”, Jared Verse has started his journey. This could lead him to the throne.
