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Florida State Defensive Lineman Ranked No. 1 in PFF Top 10

The first team All-ACC selection and FSU Defensive MVP is coming off a dominant 2022 performance.

Tommy Mire

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The Florida State Seminoles seem to be on everyone's mind heading into 2023. Reeling off a 10-3 (5-3 ACC) season, multiple players have shown up on Pro Football Focus's top 10 lists, trophy and award projections as the 'Noles seem to be a primed candidate to win the ACC.

Quarterback Jordan Travis, running back Trey Benson, tight end Jaheim Bell, DL Braden Fiske and wide receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman, to name a few, have all been ranked in the PFF.com's top 10 preseason lists.

READ MORE: Florida State Adding Defensive Coach To Staff With NFL, P5 Experience

The newest addition to that list is All-American edge defender Jared Verse who broke out onto the scene in 2022 after transferring in from the FCS Division. 

According to PFF, Verse is considered the No. 1 returning edge defender in college football.

"Arguably the most surprising returner in college football, Verse was a projected top-20 pick in the 2023 draft before announcing that he’d stay in Tallahassee for another season.

The former Albany edge dominated in his first season at the FBS level, as the redshirt sophomore’s 24.4% pass-rush win rate ranked fourth among Power Five edge defenders while his 10 tackles for loss/no-gain were tied for sixth." 

During the 2022 season, Verse emerged as a dominant force for the 'Noles. Playing in 12 games, with nine starts, Verse amassed 48 tackles, including 17 tackles for loss, nine sacks, a fumble recovery, and a blocked field goal. He also earned first-team All-American and ACC honors and led the ACC with an average of 0.75 sacks per game, ranking 17th nationally, while ranking second in the conference and 10th nationally with an average of 1.4 tackles for loss per game. 

He surprised everyone when he opted to return to Tallahassee for the 2023 season and not pursue the next level in the NFL Draft.

READ MORE: Three Exciting Home Matchups for FSU Football in 2023

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Tommy Mire
TOMMY MIRE

Tommy Mire joined NoleGameday in 2023 as a writer and editor. He initially worked as lead voice at SBNation's Tomahawk Nation and contributes to football, NFL and recruiting coverage. Connect with Tommy on Twitter at @TommyM3III

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