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Ohio State football: Buckeyes pursuing transfer defensive end

By Del Barris

Sep 18, 2021; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Tommy DeVito (13) runs with the ball as Albany Great Danes defensive lineman Jared Verse (96) and linebacker AJ Mistler (41) defend during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange quarterback Tommy DeVito (13) runs with the ball as Albany Great Danes defensive lineman Jared Verse (96) and linebacker AJ Mistler (41) defend during the first half at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ohio State football team is pursuing one of the best young pass-rushing defensive ends in FCS. Jared Verse, formerly of the University of Albany, entered the transfer portal on November 30th and has gotten a lot of interest from Power 5 programs.

The Buckeyes were briefly in touch last week, but Ryan Day spoke directly with Verse recently. The redshirt freshman told long-time Ohio recruiting expert Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts he liked what he heard from Day. Verse said the OSU head coach talked to him about taking a visit to see what the Buckeyes have to offer. So far, he has been to Florida State, Tennessee, Syracuse, and Houston. That leaves him with one more he can take and he said Ohio State is a possibility.

Verse is 6’4” and 247 pounds. His 10 ½ sacks are good enough for eleventh in FCS, earned him the Colonial Athletic Association’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, and second-team all-conference. He was a three-sport athlete at Central Columbia High School in Pennsylvania and ran on a state champion 4X400 relay team, so he has the type of speed and athleticism you want in a defensive end.

Right now, the Buckeyes are playing a waiting game to see what their defensive end group is going to look like heading towards the 2022 season. Tyreke Smith is leaving, but we are unsure of what Zach Harrison (read my article about his status here), Javontae Jean-Baptiste, and Tyler Friday, who missed all of this season with an injury, are going to do. If all three return and join Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, and four-star recruit Kenyatta Jackson, it is going to make for another crowded year at this position.

Will Verse want to walk into a situation like that? Out of the four schools he has already visited, the Ohio State football team is easily the most prestigious program. They also have Larry Johnson, who is regarded as the best defensive line coach in the country.

Next. Ryan Day could be at an Ohio State crossroads. dark

Also, the ends in new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ scheme tend to be very productive. Will that be enough to sway him to join a crowded position group when he can go elsewhere and have a better chance at early playing time? My guess is Verse will wait to see who stays with the Buckeyes before making a decision on a visit.

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