Former Albany Standout Jared Verse Reflects on NFL Draft Journey
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Few former FCS players develop into one of the NFL Draft's top picks. Former University at Albany defensive lineman and now Florida State standout Jared Verse did just that. Verse took time to reflect on his rise.
"It's all changed. I mean, I've always been [knew] it was going to come. My family had no doubt in me, with my hard work and my athletic capabilities, taking advantage of every opportunity that came my way," Verse told reporters this week at the NFL combine.
Verse says his humble beginning at Albany, once the site of the New York Giants training camp, was the catalyst for his success, preparing him for the next stop in his journey.
"It helped me grow exponentially," Verse said. "It was hard because Albany is an FCS school, but not a lot of people take their football program as seriously. While I was there, it was more of a mental focus for me to just become a better player.
"Albany, you know, helped me flourish. They helped me grow. Going to Florida State was something that changed my life for the better. And you know, ultimately, being in this position today, being around all these athletic guys, being in Indianapolis is just something I dreamed of. Kind of knew it was coming, but I just had to stay focused."
Verse credits his time at Flordia State with helping him become one of the draft's expected top picks.
"It was world-changing. You have Coach Odell (Odell Haggins, assistant HC, DE coach). You have Coach J.P. (DE coach John Papuchis) every day out there every day, teach you the smallest things that I learned at Florida State that I never would have even thought were a problem while I was at Albany," Verse said.
"Just the slightest tilt of my foot, my hand being a little bit more at my side instead of being too far out in front of me and just learning all that stuff. It's just my development and coming back for a second year, you know, when I could have left last year, coming back, and learning that little bit more just, it's made me so much better of a player. I don't think I can even compare to the player I was in 2022."
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