Jared Verse just turned in the best rookie season by a Rams defender since Aaron Donald in 2014 and he’s receiving well-earned recognition for it.
After already being named a Pro Bowler, Verse has now been voted the PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year. The award is voted on by members of the Professional Football Writers of America, and is typically a precursor to which players will win the official AP awards at the NFL Honors show.
Verse led all rookies in quarterback hits (18), pressures (77) and hurries (56) this season, dominating off the edge for the Rams. He finished the year with 4.5 sacks, but that number doesn’t tell the full story of the impact he had this season.
He’s the second defensive player in Rams history to win this award, joining Donald in that select group.
Jared Verse has been named the PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year.
He is the second player in Rams franchise history to be selected Defensive Rookie of the Year by the PFWA, joining defensive tackle Aaron Donald in 2014:https://t.co/u7mSQX4XYm
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 21, 2025
In addition to being named Defensive Rookie of the Year, he was selected to the PFWA All-Rookie team at linebacker. He was joined by Braden Fiske, who was picked as a defensive lineman, and Jordan Whittington on kick returns.
The Rams led all teams with three All-Rookie selections from PFWA.
