ALBANY, N.Y. – Former University at Albany defensive end Jared Verse has been drafted in the first round, number 19 overall, by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2024 NFL Draft. Verse officially becomes just the third Great Dane to ever have his name called at the NFL Draft.
Verse played for the Purple and Gold from 2019 to 2021. After redshirting the 2019 season, he became an immediate impact player in the spring of 2021. In UAlbany’s four games, Verse led the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) in tackles for loss (10) and ranked second in the conference with 4.0 sacks. He was named the CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year and was an All-CAA Second Team selection. In addition, he was named a Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award Finalist as one of the best freshmen in the country.
In the fall 2021 season, Verse duplicated his dominant performance on the defensive line. He ranked third in the CAA in sacks with 0.95 per game, tallying 10 solo and one assisted for a total of 10.5. He finished fourth on the team with 53 tackles (32 solo, 21 assisted) with 11.5 tackles for loss. He thrice recorded eight tackles in a game (NDSU, Delaware, Stony Brook) and thrice recorded two sacks in a game (Delaware, William & Mary, Morgan State). He totaled 13 quarterback hits, adding a pass breakup and a forced fumble. He was named an All-CAA First Team selection and was later named a HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-American.
“I couldn’t be any prouder of Jared,” said UAlbany Head Coach Greg Gattuso. “From us at UAlbany being his only Division I offer coming out of high school, to walking across that stage in Detroit, his football journey has been truly amazing to watch. His hard work and determination got him to this point. I’m happy he will get to live out his dream of playing in the NFL with the Rams.”
Verse transferred to Florida State ahead of…
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