Florida State has been active with a number of offensive and defensive linemen in the transfer portal since the end of the 2021 regular season. One player high on FSU’s list the whole way through has been Albany defensive end Jared Verse.

Of course, the Seminoles are not alone.

Verse, who brings proven pass-rushing abilities off the edge, is a popular prospect for several Power 5 programs. Now, he says, a future college decision could be coming in the next week or two.

“I am so late in the process, I am starting to whittle schools down,” Verse said. “I don’t have too much time to mess around like I did a couple weeks ago. I’m looking at what schools are the best for me.”

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Some 35 or 40 programs have contacted Verse, but he said he’s only considering around five right now.

FSU, which already has landed five players from the transfer portal, is in that mix.

“This second time, I’ve proved that I can play at the collegiate level,” Verse said of the recruiting process. “At the beginning, it was overwhelming because I never really got that in high school. Then the second time, it was humbling because I realized hard work really does pay off. But the job is not finished or anything.”

An all-conference defensive end as a freshman at Albany, Verse said his visit to FSU earlier this month definitely exceeded his expectations. He was blown away by the stadium and campus, calling the atmosphere, "insane."

And the 6-foot-4, 247-pounder said he has enjoyed his conversations with the Seminoles' coaching staff, who are looking to replace defensive end standouts Jermaine Johnson and Keir Thomas.

“They emphasize how much they want me. How much they need me to replace guys like Keir and Jermaine, who left a huge impact and a hole in their defense,” Verse said. “Talking to them has been amazing. They are definitely a school I am considering.”

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The defensive end transfer, who has received offers in recent days from Texas, LSU, Oklahoma and Florida, is definitely doing his homework as he prepares to make his second college decision.

He said he has taken the time to chat with a handful of FSU players to get their perspective of the program.

“Jermaine is really the only player I have sat down and talked to. I have gotten on the phone with a couple other players and everything like that,” Verse said. “But Jermaine, when I was out there, me and him sat down and had a whole conversation."

The fact that Johnson spent his final year at FSU after playing earlier at Georgia and junior college resonated with him.

“He didn’t lie to me at all; he told me the straight truth, which I respected a lot from him," Verse said. "He told me why he came there. So I got a good view of someone who was in my position. He was coming from a higher-level school -- I am still coming from an FCS level, so it’s a little different. But he did give me a good insight on how he did it and why he did it.”

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Verse added that he has to make a decision soon because he plans to enroll at his next college in January.

“I am definitely looking at late December, early January. So, within the upcoming week or two,” Verse said. “Making a strong decision. Wherever I don’t end up going, I want to speak with those coaches beforehand and let them know thank you for the opportunity and thank them for everything.

“But I will probably make my decision late December, early January.”

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