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Jared Verse, Braden Fiske reunited in Los Angeles; FSU players playing in NFC West | Nolebook
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- Jared Verse, Braden Fiske reunited in Los Angeles; FSU players playing in NFC West | Nolebook
Jared Verse and Braden Fiske wreaked havoc for two years at Florida State and hope to continue to do so for the Los Angeles Rams .
The Rams used their first two picks in the three-day NFL Draft that ended Saturday to beef up their defensive front.
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They selected Verse at No. 19 Thursday and then traded up 13 spots to select Fisk in the second round Friday. After the Fiske pick, the Rams posted a video on their social media page of Verse talking to Fiske on the phone.
Emotions ran high between the duo.
"It's unbelievable," Fiske told the media and therams.com. "It's just a blessing. I just cannot believe that happened."
Verse and Fiske only played one season together at FSU, but it was a season to remember as the Seminoles finished 13-1.
Verse and Fisk, leaders of the Seminoles' elite defensive line, combined for 90 tackles and 15 sacks during the 2023 season.
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Both weren't highly recruited coming out of high school. Verse started his first two years at Albany, while Fiske started his college career at Western Michigan.
Verse told the media their bond was so strong that they knew what each other was thinking during games. Fiske agreed.
"I mean, it got to the point in the season where you get that head nod, just look at each other, and you knew what was coming," Fiske said. "It just got to the point where we were just playing off each other. He'd see something I get and I'd see something he'd get, and we'd just go out there making plays."
More: Florida State football live updates from 2024 NFL Draft as Seminoles get selected
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FSU football under coach Mike Norvell enjoys banner 2024 NFL Draft
FSU produced 10 NFL Draft picks for the fourth time in program history and for the first time since 2015, when FSU tied the ACC record it set in 2013 with 11 selections.
The Seminoles' balance was also on display as they had five offensive players and five defensive players selected. FSU extended its streak of having at least one former player taken to 41 straight years, the eighth-longest active streak in the country.
Additionally, three Seminoles reportedly signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents.
Linebacker Kalen DeLoach plans to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers . In the 2023 season, DeLoach recorded 83 tackles, 8 sacks, and 2 interceptions.
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Safety Akeem Dent will join the Los Angeles Chargers . Dent is a three-year starter who registered 42 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.
Fabien Lovett will sign with the Kansas City Chiefs . Lovett started all four years and finished with 74 tackles, and five sacks in his career at FSU.
FSU quarterback Jordan Travis drafted by Jets , overcome with emotion
There's no telling how FSU's 2023 season would have ended if record-setting quarterback Jordan Travis had not gotten injured.
Travis, of course, suffered a gruesome leg injury late in the year and was lost for the season. His draft status was also in question during his recovery.
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On Saturday, however, Travis fulfilled a childhood dream when the New York Jets selected him in the fifth round. Travis shed a tear at the start of his video conference with the media.
"This is a freaking dream come true," said Travis, the eighth quarterback selected. "I mean, it still hasn't hit me yet. My emotions are kind of everywhere right now."
FSU players heading to NFC West
Six FSU players were selected in the first two days of the NFL Draft.
Four of the five will be in the NFC West. While Verse and Fiske will play for the Rams,
Defensive back Renardo Green (64 overall) will play for the San Francisco 49ers , along with linebacker Tatum Bethune (No. 251 overall) , and running back Trey Benson (No. 66 overall) will play for the Arizona Cardinals .
Keon Coleman (No. 65 overall), Jordan Travis (No. 171) and Jaheim Bell (231 overall) will be in the AFC East. Coleman was the first Seminole selected in the second round as he went to the Buffalo Bills. Travis went to the New York Jets and Bell went to the New England Patriots .
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Jarrian Jones (96th overall) will remain in the state and will only travel 165 miles south to Jacksonville after being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round.
Florida State football players selected in 2024 NFL Draft
Day 1:
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Round 1, Pick No. 19: EDGE Jared Verse to Los Angeles Rams
Day 2:
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Round 2, Pick No. 33: WR Keon Coleman to Buffalo Bills
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Round 2, Pick No. 39: DT Braden Fiske to Los Angeles Rams
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Round 2, Pick No. 64: CB Renardo Green to San Francisco 49ers
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Round 3, Pick No. 66: RB Trey Benson to Arizona Cardinals
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Round 3, Pick No. 96: CB Jarrian Jones to Jacksonville Jaguars
Day 3:
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Round 5, Pick No. 171: QB Jordan Travis to New York Jets
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Round 6, Pick No. 185: WR Johnny Wilson to Philadelphia Eagles
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Round 7, Pick No. 231: TE Jaheim Bell to New England Patriots
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Round 7, Pick No. 251: LB Tatum Bethune to San Francisco 49ers
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: 10 FSU Players sign with NFL teams, three signed as UFA
