Florida State Stars Jared Verse And Braden Fiske Named AP All-Americans
No. 5 Florida State (13-0, 8-0 ACC) faces No. 6 Georgia (12-1, 8-0 SEC) in the 2023 Orange Bowl on December 30 to close out what has been a remarkable year for the Seminoles, and a questionable one for the College Football Playoff Committee.
FSU's perfect season had its highs and lows, winning the conference outright while also losing star quarterback Jordan Travis to injury in a tragic fashion which ultimately kept them from the playoffs.
Two key players on the Florida State roster earned All-American Honors: Jared Verse and Braden Fiske, who were both top transfers out of their respective schools before landing in Tallahassee. Verse, a redshirt junior out of Albany, was named second-team defensive end, and Fiske, out of Western Michigan, was named third-team at the defensive tackle position.
Verse had 41 tackles and 12.5 for loss this season and led the team in sacks with nine. He also played a major role in the rest of the defense's success with 11 quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a blocked point after attempt.
Fiske finished 2023 with 43 tackles, nine for a loss, six sacks, and a career-high three sacks in FSU's 16-6 ACC Championship win over Louisville. The win over the Cardinals set an ACC Championship Game record in tackles for loss with 14 while only allowing 188 yards of total offense.
Verse was previously named a second-team All-American from The Athletic and USA Today, was a first-team All-ACC selection, and a semifinalist for the Lombardi Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Fiske was the College Football News Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Interior Lineman of the Year and was second-team All-ACC.
Undefeated No. 4 Florida State (13-0) will face No. 6 Georgia (12-1) in the Capital One Orange Bowl on December 30, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
*Portions of article per release from Florida State Athletics
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