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[NCAA] Conf. Finals – The Rude Awakening of Jared Verse

December 3, 2023

Every Sunday, the DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the NCAA championship and the players eligible for the 2024 NFL Draft.

Defensive Player of the Week: Jared Verse (EDGE, Florida State)

His match (against Louisville): 6 tackles, 2 sacks

What a start! Now it's a certainty. Jared Verse is going to be a first-round player at the end of April 2024. Florida State's pass rusher, along with his defensive line teammates, are making life hell for Jack Plummer and Louisville. Florida State wins the ACC final, finishes undefeated this season, and should make the playoffs, even if it will be without Jordan Travis. Defensive line stats: 7 sacks, 14 tackles for loss. So you don't have to look very far to find the reasons for the victory of the Mike Norvell team.

Jared Verse is a rough defender, with an exceptional physique comparable to Micah Parsons (EDGE, Cowboys). In addition, his background is atypical. His university career began at Albany in the 2nd university division, before joining Florida, where he energized the defensive line. His first year in the first division was a success (9 sacks), and he could have entered the 2023 Draft.

Returning to university, he again had a season with 9 sacks, while his start to the season left doubts about his potential. The pass rusher is a player who shines when the stakes rise. Over the last 2 games, Verse has made 5 sacks. NFL recruiters should not be indifferent to this player with great potential, who could become a future All-Pro.

Defensive mentions

  • Braden Fiske (DT, Florida State): 9 tackles, 3 sacks
  • Javon Solomon (EDGE, Troy): 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble covered
  • Tyler Grubbs (LB, Tulane): 13 tackles
  • Mike Sainristil (CB, Michigan): 2 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass defended
  • Brandon Bishop (CB, Liberty): 11 tackles, 1 interception

Among Florida State's 7 sacks, 2 are for Jared Verse. But, he is not the one who made the greatest number of sacks in this game. Braden Fiske is that player. The defensive tackle makes the sack which seals the victory for his team. Like Jared Verse, he equals his season record set last year, with 6 sacks.

He goes under the radar. However, he is a player with interesting potential despite an average size. Javon Solomon recorded another 2 sacks game, bringing his total to 16 this season. Simply huge.

Hybrid players show interesting prospects for NFL teams wanting to use them as potential spies. Tyler Grubbs and Brandon Bishop can fit into this category, and could become future leaders on defense. Mike Sainristil is already at one of the most highly rated universities in the NCAA. In the NFL, he could fit in very easily if given the opportunity.

Quarterback of the week: Quinn Ewers (QB, Texas)

His game (against Oklahoma State): 35/46, 452 yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception

According to some insiders, Quinn Ewers could return to college next season. This would be a shame for NFL teams who saw him as a potential franchise quarterback. Watching the Big 12 final against Oklahoma State, some might bite their fingers, if this decision is confirmed.

In the meantime, in this match, Quinn Ewers had a crazy first period, with an improvement in decision-making. His first 11 passes were successful, with 3 touchdowns. And the results: 23/31 passing, 354 yards and 4 touchdowns. 4 passes for 4 different receivers. The quarterback also makes an avoidable interception, but Texas was already well ahead.

Intelligent, with seemingly limitless potential at the most important position in this sport, Quinn Ewers could become a future star in the big league. In progress, the talented quarterback could aim even higher, if the playoff committee allows him. While awaiting a future decision for the Draft, the quarterback can enjoy his first major trophy with the University of the Longhorns.

Quarterback mentions

  • Jalen Milroe (QB, Alabama): 13/23, 192 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • Bo Nix (QB, Oregon): 21/34, 239 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception
  • Michael Penix Jr. (QB, Washington): 27/39, 319 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception

In bad shape at the start of the season, Alabama is having a very solid season. The conclusion (or not) of this season is nothing short of magnificent. The Crimson Tide beats the invincible Georgia in the SEC conference final, with a great Jalen Milroe, unpredictable and clutch. If he still has some flaws in terms of concentration, the Alabama quarterback is progressing, and seems to be established as Nick Saban's number 1 at this position.

The last meeting of the PAC-12 conference results in a magnificent final between Oregon and Washington. Two teams that have two quarterbacks potentially called up in the first round. In the end, Michael Penix Jr. won, despite better statistics for Bo Nix. Both players had their decisive moments, but also their moments of doubt. It is the latter who will perhaps make certain general managers cringe, seeing in them potential franchise quarterbacks.

Offensive player of the week: Kimani Vidal (RB, Troy)

His game (against Appalachian State): 26 carries, 233 yards, 5 touchdowns

Darren Sproles, Tarik Cohen, or even Deuce Vaughn, recently drafted by the Cowboys. What do these runners have in common? These are runners measuring less than 1m75, and who play (or have played) in the NFL with some success. Kimani Vidal is a player of this height (1m73), but that's not what counts.

What matters are the number of yards and touchdowns. In this game, Troy's running back is merciless. Central point of the Trojans' attack, he allowed his team to climb over the Appalachian State Mountaineers and win the Sun Belt conference. With 5 touchdowns, he is the first player in the history of the first NCAA division to establish this mark in a conference final.

In his 4th year, Kimani Vidal is a player with meteoric rise. Breaking his record for rushing touchdowns (14) and making progress in receiving, he can be a potential sleeper, and blend into a running committee very easily. The runner has good lateral mobility, allowing him to make tackles. Despite sometimes haphazard readings, the runner has fairly good acceleration. He would be very comfortable in a zone offensive scheme, used frequently in the NFL.

Offensive mentions

  • Blake Corum (RB, Michigan): 16 carries, 52 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • Dillon Johnson (RB, Washington): 28 carries, 152 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • Jalen McMillan (WR, Washington): 9 receptions, 131 yards
  • CJ Daniels (WR, Liberty): 7 receptions, 157 yards, 1 touchdown
  • Ja'Tavion Sanders (TE, Texas): 8 receptions, 105 yards, 1 touchdown

Another short runner, Blake Corum. Unlike Vidal, he could invite himself to the draft table from the 2nd day. With impressive numbers of touchdowns this season (24), while barely exceeding 1000 yards, he proves that there is no need to do too much to be effective. Michigan easily wins the Big Ten against Iowa, and should reach the playoffs.

Two players are decisive in Washington's victory over Oregon. Dillon Johnson has been showing himself in a positive way in recent weeks. He was injured almost all season, and is making his return at the right time. With decisive plays, Jalen McMillan does good for the Huskies and Michael Penix Jr. Washington will go to the Final Four (playoffs) and can count on an impressive offensive force.

He also wakes up at the right time, Ja'Tavion Sanders is a man of big matches, and it shows. Very good at the start of the season against Alabama, he (a little) disappeared from the radar to better reappear. He makes his appearance for the first time in this section, and it is deserved for a team still undefeated this season, before perhaps a major Bowl. CJ Daniels, potential sleeper, and Liberty beat New Mexico State in the C-USA final, and can believe in a grand end to the season.

Disappointment of the week: Troy Franklin (WR, Oregon)

His match (against Washington): 4 receptions, 34 yards

Before the match, the comparisons. Rome Odunze vs. Troy Franklin. Who will have the most balloons? Who will have the most yards? To these questions, the answers might be obvious as to who will appear in the first round, and who will not.

Even if Troy Franklin can still claim a first round, his performance against Washington does not help him in this regard. It must be said that he was often well covered, sometimes at 2, despite his excellent speed. Despite everything, supposed to be Bo Nix's main target, he was not of much use. This is why we saw a lot of these teammates, like Tez Johnson, or Terrance Ferguson.

This disappointing performance also highlights Troy Franklin's flaws. Aimed 12 times, he only catches 4 balls, with sometimes worrying drops. Also, it should be noted a certain incomprehension at the level of the routes, like on a play with a potential touchdown where the receiver is unable to change direction. Result: incomplete pass, and therefore just 3 more points for Oregon. 3 points is what Oregon lacked against Washington in this Pac-12 conference final.

Action of the week

Another flea flicker, but longer this time. Remember this from the Mountain West last week? This conference with 3 finalists, except that only 2 were needed. The computer draw gave the Boise State and UNLV teams as finalists. Lack of luck for Andy Avalos, the coach of Boise State, fired before the big deadline. Still, that doesn't stop the Broncos from taking the Mountain West conference.

Conference finals scores

Washington – Oregon: 34-31 – Washington, PAC-12 champion
Liberty – New Mexico State: 49-35 – Liberty, C-USA champion
Alabama – Georgia: 27-24 – Alabama, SEC champion
Texas – Oklahoma State: 49-21 – Texas, Big 12 champion
SMU – Tulane: 26-14 – SMU, AAC champion
Miami (OH) – Toledo: 23-14 – Miami (OH), MAC champion
Boise State – UNLV: 44-20 – Boise State, Mountain West champion
Troy – Appalachain State: 49-23 – Troy, Sun Belt champion
Michigan – Iowa: 26-0 – Michigan, Big Ten champion
Florida State – Louisville: 16-6 – Florida State, ACC champion

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December 3, 2023
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