Los Angeles Rams first round draft pick Jared Verse is a perfect example that a player can achieve anything with hard work.
When Verse graduated from Central Columbia High School in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, he was a zero-star college football prospect. His only college opportunity was at the University of Albany.
Here’s how he was described on EasternPAFootball.com‘s 2018 Player Profile:
“Jared is a big target for us. He a tall athletic TE who can go up and get the ball. He is a passionate blocker that averages 3 pancakes per game. Jared is the most powerful player we have.”
Central Columbia Coach via EasternPAFootball.com
During his high school days with the Blue Jays, Verse played football and basketball. On the gridiron, he was a tight end and defensive end. According to his Hudl highlights (below), he caught 12 passes during his senior season, averaging 26.7 yards per catch.
The highlight video goes on to tout his bench press was 385-pounds, his squad was 485 and his power clean is listed at 315-pounds. Interestingly, all of the highlight clips are on offense. That means, you won’t see anything that would lead you to believe he was going to put together back-to-back nine sack seasons after he transferred to Florida State. In his first two years at Albany, Verse record 14.5 sacks.
On the basketball court, Verse’s highlights focus on his strong inside presence with playing of dunks and shot-blocking.
Verse was one of five former Pennsylvania high school football players selected over the weekend in Detroit, Michigan.
Former PA High School Football Players taken in NFL Draft
No. 4 – Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, St. Joseph’s Prep – Arizona Cardinals
No. 19 – Jared Verse, EDGE, Central Columbia – Los Angeles Rams
No. 89 Tykee Smith, S, Imhotep Charter – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
No. 155 Jeremiah Trotter, Jr., LB, St. Joseph’s Prep – Philadelphia Eagles
No. 219 Daequan Hardy, CB, Penn Hills – Buffalo Bills
No. 229 M.J. Devonshire, CB, Aliquippa – Las Vegas Raiders.
More: Where every NFL 2024 Draft Pick played high school football
Read more Pennsylvania high school football news
Visit NFL Play Football at playfootball.nfl.com
