Jared Verse brings an edge to Rams’ defense

When Aaron Donald walked away from his All-Pro career as a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams and into retirement, it created an opportunity for another player to step in and paintbrush their own legacy. 

Replacing a decade of dominance by No. 99 was not going to be some walk in the park for the Rams. Rookie Jared Verse, however, has made that stroll for Rams head coach Sean McVay a little easier. 

Midway through the 2024 NFL season, Verse is not playing football like a wide-eyed first-year player. Instead, as the No. 19 overall draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft from Florida State, Verse has put the league on notice that he is a force to deal with. 

That force is a little bit of thunder and a dash of lightning that Verse shows up with game after game. Verse plays football with power and speed. 

After registering 1.5 sacks against the Minnesota Vikings in a 30-20 win by the Rams during a Thursday Night Football game, Verse says when he steps out on the football on game day, it’s a lot like stepping into a boxing ring.   

“It’s like a boxing match,” Verse said. “I’m ain’t going to lie. I’m going to hit you over and over again. I want to see how many that you can take. Ok. Let’s see how long you’re going to last. You’re not going to last a full game. I swear you’re not going to last a full game. I put that on my everything. You can keep going and then if you stop and hit, hey, now it’s speed. Let’s see how fast you are. Let’s see what you can do. It’s a boxing match. You never know what’s going to come next.” 

Verse’s play in the last few games has not gone unnoticed by his head coach.

“Jared has really done an excellent job making plays,” McVay said after the team’s win against the Vikings. “You feel him when you’re just observing as a spectator, but I think he’s played his two cleanest games from the Raiders and then from this past week where he’s doing what he’s supposed to do. He’s playing discipline and then he’s maximizing his opportunities to be able to go shoot his shot. He was awesome tonight.”

The last three games, all won by the Rams, have amplified the spotlight on Verse’s play. In the Rams’ 26-20 overtime win against the Seattle Seahawks, Verse led a ferocious pass rush that forced Geno Smith into three interceptions in the game. 

Officially, Verse recorded one sack against the Seahawks, but his disruptive play all game long put Seattle in a tailspin. 

“One of the things I love about this guy is that he comes from a great family, he’s incredibly respectful, but he has an edge to him that is so healthy,” McVay said during the weekly Zoom conference call he has with reporters. “I think it’s one of the special things that makes him who he is. You see that in his play energy. His personality comes out on this tape and that’s what we loved about him.”  

Verse has played exceptional football for the Rams from the first game. He played so well during September that he was named the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month. 

After the Rams’ bye week, Verse picked up where he left off. After starting the season 1-4, the Rams have reeled off three straight victories. With the defense of the Rams stepping up in the three wins, Verse has had his hands in the mix.  

Though he did not record a single sack in a 20-15 win by the Rams against the Las Vegas Raiders, Verse did have four tackles and spearheaded a defense that recorded four turnovers, including three interceptions. Verse credits his defensive peers for helping him improve weekly.         

“It’s my teammates,” Verse said. “They’re relying on me to make plays, and I want to make plays and do my one of eleven. I don’t have to be a superhero every day. Sometimes and on some plays where it’s third-and-long, I have to. That’s what they brought me in here for.”