Turf Show Times
While both players look to be future superstars, playing together has been the best thing for both of their careers
Iron sharpening iron might be the best way to describe the relationship between Los Angeles Rams pass rushers Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. Individually, each player is an up-and-coming star with votes for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024. While Verse may have claimed victory over the award in the end, Fiske’s team leading 8.5 sacks (which was double Verse’s total) could make some argue he actually had the more productive first season of the two teammates.
According to Dan Pompei of The Athletic, Fiske said losing the award to Verse felt like “a stab in the heart.”
“Next time, it’s for the big one,” Fiske told Verse at the Rams’ facility. “I’ll see you when they give out the Defensive Player of the Year award.”
While there is competition between the two friends, their relationship and communication on the field dating back to their collegiate days together at Florida State has seemed to play a major role in both of their success. While they are great players on their own, together they become so much more formidable, using their bond to communicate on the field in a way that is unmatched for most.
It was a bond that jumped off the screen, with one of their best examples happening during FSU’s game against Louisville in the ACC Championship. Verse looked at Fiske without saying a word, taking the up and under on the play while Fiske wrapped around the tackle. The result was a sack.
“We just gave each other a nod like, take your shot. I have more of a feel with him than anyone.” Fiske added “I wish more people could see how caring, giving and respectful he is with everybody, the way he uplifts people, brings energy to a room and changes the entire environment wherever he’s at.”
Verse echoed Fiske’s sentiments, speaking glowingly of his friend as well.
“I never had a sixth sense with another player like this.” Verse continued “I love Fiske, that’s one of my best friends right there, one of the best people I’ve met.”
The connection between Verse and Fiske is also something that Rams General Manager Les Snead noticed right away in the draft process.
“That was one of those games [The ACC Championship Game] that as you studied it, you’re saying, ‘Wow, these two are really symbiotic,’” he says. “They are in the rhythm, right? They’re on the same wavelength.”
The Rams would go on to take Verse in the first round of the 2024 draft and immediately starting working on a play to land Fiske as well. At the time, many thought LA gave up too much to move up in the second round to nab Fiske, trading away two second round picks to move up just 13 spots. However, in retrospect no one in LA would say that now coming off...
