LA Rams Defensive End Jared Verse Named 2024 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year

Verse’s rookie season with the Rams has already proved why he was a first-round pick.

Jan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) before action against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images / Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Rams hit paydirt when they selected former Florida State star defensive end Jared Verse in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He became the second Rams player to win the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) Defensive Rookie of the Year award, joining future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, who won it in 2014.

Verse was selected 19th overall by the Rams and led all rookies in quarterback hits (18), pressures (77), and quarterback hurries (56). He also finished second among rookies in tackles for loss (11) and ranked fifth in sacks (4.5).

On Thursday night at the NFL Honors, he was named the 2024 Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year, adding another achievement to his résumé.

Jared Verse takes home Defensive Rookie of the Year ‼️ #NFLHonors@JaredVerse1 @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/yW02Fzsl13

— NFL (@NFL) February 7, 2025

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Nov 3, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) celebrates with cornerback Cobie Durant (14) after a sack against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Verse's story is an interesting one. The Dayton, Ohio native was an overlooked prospect coming out of high school starting at the FCS level playing for Albany. He turned himself into one of the top transfer products in the NCAA Transfer Portal and became a fan favorite during his time in Tallahassee, Florida. He had back-to-back nine-sack seasons and a total of 89 tackles, 30 for a loss, 18 sacks, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.

Rams defensive lineman Braden Fiske, who was also Verse's teammate at Florida State, was named one of the five finalists for the award and joined Verse on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Fiske led all rookies in sacks with 8.5 in 2024.

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