TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State standout defensive end Jared Verse, a projected first-round NFL draft pick, announced Saturday he is staying for another season.
After two stellar seasons at Albany in the Football Championship Subdivision, Verse was the most coveted player in the NCAA transfer portal in 2022. He landed in Tallahassee and proved he could play at the Power Five level.
He earned first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors after leading Florida State with 14 1/2 tackles for loss, including 7 1/2 sacks, despite missing one game because of injury and being limited in several others.
He joins quarterback Jordan Travis, leading rusher Trey Benson and leading receiver Johnny Wilson in returning to play for coach Mike Norvell — and it could make the Seminoles (10-3) potential title contenders in 2023.
“Obviously, the money is a big factor in it. But my biggest factor was, ‘What can I improve on?’” Verse told ESPN after announcing his decision. “I just have to look at myself and say, ’OK, every day, I’ve still got a lot to improve on, I’ve still got a lot to be better at.
“I did what was best for me, and what was best for me was coming back and competing with my team.”
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