Defensive end Verse returning to Florida State

Edge rusher and highly regarded NFL draft prospect Jared Verse will delay the start of his professional career and return to Florida State next season, he announced on Saturday.

Verse declared his intention to return to campus for his redshirt junior season by posting a video of highlights and a simple message to his Twitter account: “We’re not done yet. See y’all in 2023.”

In his first year with the Seminoles after transferring from Albany, Verse emerged as one of the best pass-rushing defensive lineman in college football in 2022 by tallying nine sacks.

Verse had been viewed as a top-20 prospect in the 2023 draft class.

#NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/MIyeglWXlX

— Jared Verse (@JaredVerse1) January 7, 2023

The announcement comes in the wake of starting quarterback Jordan Travis and leading rusher Trey Benson also committing to another year in Tallahassee under head coach Mike Norvell.

After a middling start, Florida State finished the season with six straight victories, including wins over rivals Miami and Florida, as well as a Cheez-It Bowl win over Oklahoma to finish the season 10-3 (5-3 ACC).

With perennial power Clemson facing questions at quarterback next season, Florida State will be gunning for a first ACC title since 2014.

Despite Verse staying in school, NFL teams eager to add defensive line talent in the draft will have plenty of options in what is viewed as a deep edge rusher class led by Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr.