Jared Verse has been 'very impressed' by Rams' rookies: 'They've been dominating'
Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse knows a thing or two about impressive rookies, being one himself last season. He knows how difficult it can be to come in and stand out right away, but he did that and more in 2024 when he was named the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Now in his second season, he's getting to watch a new crop of young players come into the league. The Rams had a draft class of six players this year, led by second-rounder Terrance Ferguson, and they'll all have a chance to contribute in 2025.
So far, Verse has been 'very impressed' by Los Angeles' first-year players, mentioning in a recent interview that Ferguson has really caught his attention.
'He got me very impressed watching him in some of those 7-on-7, sometimes in the team reps, he's been really dominating,' Verse told J.B. Long. 'The rookies as a whole, Jarquez Hunter, they've been dominating all across the field. Pooh, when he gets his opportunities, he's been out there. But we have a good rookie class, I'm very impressed by them.
Verse made sure to circle back to fellow pass rusher Josaiah Stewart, bringing him up unprompted as someone who's getting better each day. Verse said Thursday was Stewart's best day of practice all offseason: 'He was dominating.'
'Josaiah, I think he took his biggest step today,' Verse said. 'He was dominating, he was finishing up the sacks that he had, he was working a lot of speed, he was getting off the ball. I think today was by far his best practice – OTAs, training camp, all included.'
It's always good to get a player's perspective on their teammates, especially when Verse is in the same position group as Stewart and trying to tackle Hunter in practice. By all accounts, the rookies are off to a strong start but it's still incredibly early in the process.
They'll really get a chance to shine in the preseason when players are hitting and playing full speed.
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