CHEEZ-IT BOWL: OKLAHOMA VS FLORIDA STATE

December 26, 2022

Jared Verse

Camping World Stadium

Florida State Seminoles

Press Conference

Q. Did the Cheez-It Bowl make the right choice with Pittman getting the room?

JARED VERSE: I saw the room. Tatum didn't deserve it. Nobody else deserved it. It should have been me. I would have been acceptable with Coach Norvell. But, it should have been me. That is it. Period. Tatum got the room.

Q. How was practice, being in the new stadium and getting acclimated?

JARED VERSE: It was good. That is one thing I'm very happy with this team. We translate very well. Anywhere we go, anything we do, it is going to be full speed. Everybody came out hitting hard, moving fast. Coach will tell you himself it was a good practice.

Q. How do you think coming down here FSU will start off the season next year? Orlando, at the same stadium, how do you think that helps some of the players getting ready for next season, already getting a feel for Orlando and everything?

JARED VERSE: Everybody gets a feel for the stadium, how the stadium works, how the turf feels, how the locker rooms work. I think it is very good to help translate for the next season.

Q. Do you know when after the bowl game you'll want to make your decision, how you'll communicate to the coach whether you're coming back?

JARED VERSE: Not at all. I am still talking to my family and deciding what is best for me and best for my family moving forward. But I have been very communicative with the coaches and the staff working around me. They have been very helpful giving me the information I need. But, it is just whenever I feel right about it, probably a week or two afterwards, after the bowl game.

Q. You had a few weeks without games, finals, different things going on, holidays. How great does it feel to be preparing for a game on Thursday instead of just the game is next week or two weeks?

JARED VERSE: It is good. Just being the same week, but throughout the whole preparation, nobody's been sitting back like, oh, we play next week, let's lay off. It’s been like: We play next week. Let's get after it today and move forward and have our best foot stepping forward.

Q. Seems a lot of the success that you guys have had as a team has been the closeness that you guys have with each other, and it's something every football game preaches about, brotherhood and family. Is there anything unique about Florida State that's allowed you to come close together and be successful?

JARED VERSE: I think it is the players that the coach brings in. Everybody meshes well and is so different, but everybody meshes well, everybody has a good personality. They could put me in a room with anybody on the roster, and I will be able to talk to them for hours. That is how I am. That is how they are. We will be fine. It is just we really care for each other, too. It is just one of those things. It is just natural.

Q. Coach Norvell said that he didn't have to talk anyone into playing in the bowl game. What does that mean overall when a coach doesn't have to talk you into playing and you're like you're playing no matter what?

JARED VERSE: Relates to the last question, brotherhood. I want a chance to play with my brothers. Nobody takes anything for granted. This is the last time this group will specifically be together. It is good to come out here and enjoy time with each other and go out, mess around, complain about who got the Cheez-It Room and who don't. It is just good to be with everybody again. I don't think anybody on the roster would give that up.

Q. What do you guys need to do to make sure -- you mentioned the goal is to shut them out every week, but is that the goal this week and how do you guys get there?

JARED VERSE: The goal is always the same: To shut them out. Their goal is to put the most points on the board that they possibly can. We can see who can reach their goals first, but for us, we have to bring our best foot stepping forward. Everybody has to be as fast and as strong as they can be and come out with their best, nothing less.

Q. With that decision of staying or moving on to the next level, are you waiting on more information, or is it a matter of just trying to get away from the sport for a few days when the season is over to have a clear mind and figure out what's best at that point?

JARED VERSE: It is a sit-back thing. I have all the information I need to formulate a decision. It is just putting everything together now.