During the 2021/2022 transfer portal cycle, defensive end Jared Verse quickly became one of the most sought-after players in the country. While he began his collegiate career at FCS Albany, he dominated the competition with 74 tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks in only 15 games. After entering the portal, offers quickly piled up, with visits going to Florida State, Tennessee, Houston and Syracuse. He eventually committed to the Seminoles, with the Vols finishing in second after the chase.
But what would have happened if he signed with Tennessee instead of the Seminoles?
There was plenty of intrigue surrounding Verse coming into the 2022 season, with many people wondering if he would be able to duplicate his impressive FCS performance at the Power 5 level. He answered that question quickly, by totaling 13 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks in his first four games of the season, while also dealing with a nagging knee injury. He continued to impress throughout the season, finishing with 48 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and nine sacks.
At Tennessee, the most comparable defensive player last season was Byron Young, who finished with 37 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss and seven sacks. No other player on the defensive unit had more than three sacks.
Tennessee enjoyed a rebirth on the field in 2022, finishing at 11-2 and 6th in the final AP poll. However, the team’s success was mostly due to their offense. The defense proved to be middle tier in the SEC, giving up 22.8 points per game (6th in the conference) while totaling 31 sacks (7th in the conference). Adding Verse would have given the unit a big boost, while adding an additional pass rusher to go with Young. While it debatable that having Verse would have changed the outcome of their two losses, it would have made the Vols a more complete team. It may have also helped Tennessee in 2023 as Verse surprisingly announced that he will return to Florida State for the upcoming season.
