Albany DE Jared Verse (transfer - FSU commit)

[SoilVol]

Putting my crystal balls in for the Vols.

Unconventional vasectomy, but I'll allow it.

 

[Smokymtnbullet]

Putting my crystal balls in for the Vols.

Vols deep!

 

[Weezer]

Texas offered yesterday. Wonder if their proximity to home will be a factor?

 

[VAVol85]

Texas offered yesterday. Wonder if their proximity to home will be a factor?

Could be, but he would make the 5th Edge in the current TX class. Seems like he would be in line to be a bigger contributor for the Vols.

 

[VolzMan53]

I thought he said he was going to release his top schools around Christmas…Thanks for any updates!

Just picked up an offer from Texas today. He did mention putting out a top five by the end of last week, but that obviously didn’t happen. I think he’s still working on paring things down a bit, but he’s also torn between making a decision soon and waiting to take a closer look at some of these schools that recently have entered the picture.
I think Tennessee is still one of the top contenders, but his timeline and all of that still seems to be somewhat uncertain at the moment. We’ll hopefully have some clarity on that soon

-Callahan

When is he expecting to enroll in classes?

January. That gives him potentially a few weeks to weigh his options, if he wants to take that long. And he might even have enough time to squeeze in his fifth official visit after the dead period ends in a couple weeks, since a lot of schools don’t start classes until the second half of January or at least have later drop/add deadlines.
But he hasn’t indicated to this point that he’s likely to take that fifth official visit. We’ll see if anything changes with that.

-Callahan

 

[OGbabyaviVol]

All of these quotes make it sound like he knows where he is going and he is just dillydallying until he announces. I’m going to call it… He commits to us either before the game Thursday or on Friday.

 

[bignewt]

All of these quotes make it sound like he knows where he is going and he is just dillydallying until he announces. I’m going to call it… He commits to us either before the game Thursday or on Friday.

I don't get that at all. I get a guy who wound up at Albany all of a sudden getting courted by a bunch of the biggest programs in the country. I think he is overwhelmed. I think this is far from over.

 

[Weezer]

Could be, but he would make the 5th Edge in the current TX class. Seems like he would be in line to be a bigger contributor for the Vols.

Difference being he could come in and play immediately. We're not talking about a freshman with a learning curve. Verse has the ability to be a day 1 starter/contributor.

I could see Texas becoming a factor. Not saying they will, but they are a lot closer to his home than we are. It just depends on whether or not he values that proximity. Some kids do, some don't.

 

[Ron Swanson]

I don't get that at all. I get a guy who wound up at Albany all of a sudden getting courted by a bunch of the biggest programs in the country. I think he is overwhelmed. I think this is far from over.

He only has 1 more official visit left and wants to be enrolled somewhere in January. So unless he changes plans and wants to take a bunch of visits on his own dime and not start classes until summer it’ll be over soon.

 

[BreatheUT]

Well this guy is a DE…. Banks is pretty stout for a LB….

Banks is in good shape but when you look at our LB core we were not as strong as we need to be. We had a hard time getting off the field and the LB core is a major part of that. He is the best on the team if Mitchell is not coming back. We need him as the weight room leader.

Banks is listed between 220-225 depending on the website. He needs to get closer to 230-235 lbs and be a name people hear discussed in the weight room.

I personally know previous linebackers that bench pressed 500 lbs.

Below is what I believe is a recent picture of Banks because Beasley is behind him. Then I have a picture of Quarte Sapp who was around the same height/weight. Banks is in great shape for the non-athlete cheeseburger and french fries eaters but he needs more muscle and size especially if he wants to play at the next level. I'm not saying Banks has to be built like Quarte Sapp. I'm just saying it would be nice to hear stories about what he's doing in S&C going into his senior year.

 

[bigl3327]

Banks is in good shape but when you look at our LB core we were not as strong as we need to be. We had a hard time getting off the field and the LB core is a major part of that. He is the best on the team if Mitchell is not coming back.

Banks is listed between 220-225 dependingon the website. He needs to get closer to 230-235 lbs and be a name people hear discussed in the weight room.

I personally know previous linebackers that bench pressed 500 lbs.

Below is what I believe is a recent picture of Banks because Beasley is behind him. Then I have a picture of Quarte Sapp who was around the same height/weight. I'm not saying Banks has to be built like Quarte Sapp. I'm just saying it would be nice to hear stories about what he's doing in S&C going into his senoor year.

View attachment 424124

View attachment 424125

What linebackers benched 500lbs? There are very few college players at any position benching 500lbs.

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

I don't get that at all. I get a guy who wound up at Albany all of a sudden getting courted by a bunch of the biggest programs in the country. I think he is overwhelmed. I think this is far from over.

Agreed

 

[BreatheUT]

What linebackers benched 500lbs? There are very few college players at any position benching 500lbs.

Not for sets. As a max.

 

[bigl3327]

Not for sets. As a max.

I'm talking max. There are a lot of S&C coaches that won't even let players attempt 500 on max day. It's still something that very few college athletes can do.

 

[BreatheUT]

I'm talking max. There are a lot of S&C coaches that won't even let players attempt 500 on max day. It's still something that very few college athletes can do.

Funny how you get likes on something I know as fact. I guess the chesseburger eaters must like posts they have no facts about. Not you.

I have ex-teammates that played for SEC championship teams under Majors.

For the record, I'm not saying Banks needs to max 500lb. I'm saying he needs to gain about 10lbs and get stronger.

 

[volKano]

Funny how you get likes on something I know as fact. I guess the chesseburger eaters must like posts they have no facts about. Not you.

I have ex-teammates that played for SEC championship teams under Majors.

For the record, I'm not saying Banks needs to max 500lb. I'm saying he needs to gain about 10lbs and get stronger.

cheeseburger eaters? Post a picture of your six pack? No homo

 

[bigl3327]

Funny how you get likes on something I know as fact. I guess the chesseburger eaters must like posts they have no facts about. Not you.

I have ex-teammates that played for SEC championship teams under Majors.

For the record, I'm not saying Banks needs to max 500lb. I'm saying he needs to gain about 10lbs and get stronger.

Jacques McClendon is the record holder for bench press for UT football with a ridiculous 645lbs. Next is Darwin Walker and Albert Toneia (sp) at 550 lbs. Those guys were by far some of the strongest players in UT history. Most linebackers in the 90's wouldn't make it at the position in today's game at the same position. Offenses have evolved in order to exploit big, heavy backers. There's a premium placed on speed and quickness at the position now.

 

[BreatheUT]

cheeseburger eaters? Post a picture of your six pack? No homo

Given that I'm older, no 6-pack for me anymore but flat stomach pre covid. That's beside the point though. It's about Banks development.

 

[scienceteaching_vol]

cheeseburger eaters? Post a picture of your six pack? No homo

Maybe its a redneck hockey thing?

 

[BreatheUT]

Jacques McClendon is the record holder for bench press for UT football with a ridiculous 645lbs. Next is Darwin Walker and Albert Toneia (sp) at 550 lbs. Those guys were by far some of the strongest players in UT history. Most linebackers in the 90's wouldn't make it at the position in today's game at the same position. Offenses have evolved in order to exploit big, heavy backers. There's a premium placed on speed and quickness at the position now.

Agreed but you aren't out strengthening anybody at 225lb. It was obvious we were manhandled some games or couldn't get off the field.

Oh we have several LBs in the past that would start today given we were converting RBs to LB in the 80's. Again don't get stuck on the 500lb argument.

 

[bigl3327]

Agreed but you aren't out strengthening anybody at 225lb. It was obvious we were manhandled some games or couldn't get off the field.

Oh we have several LBs in the past that would start today given we were converting RBs to LB in the 80's. Again don't get stuck on the 500lb argument.

Not stuck because I agree that he has to get stronger. But, he also can't afford to lose any speed. If he can put on another 10lbs without losing any speed or quickness, of course, that would be ideal. More than size and speed, he needs to work on technique and play recognition. This would allow him to be in better position to shed blocks or avoid them all together.

 

[UTvol1fn]

Why all the hate. I love cheeseburgers

 

[VolzMan53]

Last nights 247 recruiting chat....
1-10 feeling on Verse ?

* Hard to quantify things like that, especially when it appears to be a close race between two or three teams, but I would say maybe a 7. Basically, I wouldn't say Tennessee is the clear-cut favorite or anything like that. But I think the Vols have as good of a shot as anybody. They have put themselves in a pretty good spot as he prepares to make his decision, and I think he's really impressed with Tennessee's coaches, including defensive line coach Rodney Garner.
* It sounds like he's not planning to wait and take his fifth official visit before making his decision. I expect him to announce something by next week at the latest, and that's good news for the Vols since that means he won't be visiting any of the other teams that have entered the picture since his official visit to Knoxville.

-Callahan

 

[VolzMan53]

247 talked to Verse last night....

* Jared Verse once planned to name his top five college choices by the end of last week. But he recently decided there was no need for him to release a list of the top schools he’s considering at all.
More than two years into his college career, the Albany defensive end transfer ultimately opted not to produce any unnecessary drama in his second time through the recruiting process. He quietly has continued to narrow his focus among the nearly 30 teams pursuing him while working toward a decision that he could announce as early as this week.
* Verse, who added his name to the NCAA transfer portal nearly a month ago, still isn’t tipping his hand on the handful of schools that still might be in the running for him. But he told GoVols247 on Tuesday night that Tennessee is one of them.

“Internally, I have a narrowed list — roughly four or five, maybe three, depending on how I’m feeling,” Verse said. “Still talking to coaches, getting a better understanding of the schools. Me and my family have a pros and cons list for each school, so we’re trying to get the best understanding. But, internally, we do have a narrowed list. …

“I can’t release the full list, as a respect aspect to myself and everybody. I will say this, though: Tennessee is definitely in those favorites.

“Going out there and talking to Coach, going in and talking to Coach Chop (Levorn Harbin), they are definitely a school I am heavily considering,” Verse added, referring to Tennessee defensive line coach Rodney Garner and one of the Vols’ defensive analysts.

After abandoning his plan to name a top five, Verse said he now intends to decide on a school in the coming days and announce his choice with little fanfare. He said his decision will come “as early as this week, as late as next week.”

“I kind of realized a top five — not that it’s immature in any aspect, but as an older guy, I don’t really need to do that,” he said. “It’d be more respectful to the coaches. Plus, I’m not eliminating anyone, so when I do make my decision, call the coaches, let them know, ‘I do not plan on coming to your school. Thank you for reaching out to me.’

“And then release the school I am going to instead of doing a top five, top three and all that stuff that high (school prospects) would do.”

Auburn, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Miami, Texas, USC and Virginia Tech have extended scholarship offers to Verse since Dec. 12, the day he wrapped up his whirlwind series of official visits earlier this month. But he said he has decided not to postpone his decision until mid-January in hopes of using his fifth and final official visit after the ongoing dead period for recruiting, which runs through Jan. 13.

“I do not think me and my family think it’s the best-case scenario to use that fifth visit, so I do not plan on using it,” he said. “I do plan on releasing a decision later this week, late next week — at some point, sometime in the next week.”

But he said that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s only choosing between the four schools that hosted him on official visits earlier this month: Syracuse, Houston, Florida State and Tennessee.

“I am considering everyone,” Verse said. “I’ve been in college already. I’m not a high schooler. I don’t have to see the academic side. Everyone’s top in something academically. I don’t have to go stand on the campus. They can send me a video of the campus.

“But, to me, it’s more important about the football aspect — talking to the coaches, talking to the weightlifting coach, nutritionist. Where would I live? Where would I fit in? How am I put in the scheme? Everything along those lines.”

More than two weeks removed from his official visit to Tennessee, he said a few things about his trip to Knoxville have stuck with him, including first-year Vols head coach Josh Heupel’s staff.

“The facilities are top-notch,” Verse said. “The guys on the team are pretty cool I got to meet a few of them, everything like that. But the coaches definitely stick out to me more than anything. They are constantly on me, talking to me, trying to let me know how much they want me — and not only that, but need me in a sort of way/QUOTE]

 

[Jimmy Football]

You got to like our chances right now.