Jason Verrett

BIOGRAPHY

Born on June 18, 1991, Jason Verrett, a coveted figure in American professional football, is recognized for his adroit deftness as a cornerback. Currently forging an enviable career as a free agent, Verrett climbed the ladder of acclaim in the TCU Horned Frogs college football team. He was then selected in the first draft of the 2014 NFL by the San Diego Chargers.

In his early life, Verrett divided his time between B Gale Wilson Middle School and Angelo Rodriguez High School, where he discovered a passion for both football and track. He bore the mantel of running back on offense during football games and played the role of cornerback on defense. Verrett made an imposing impression during these years, scoring the honor of Back of the Year on offense during both his junior and senior years.

Track and field also saw Verrett’s impressive athleticism. Making a marked impression in the 100-meter dash event in 2007, his Personal Record of 11.87 seconds at the SCAC FINALS meet earned him a 3rd position during the freshman/sophomore finals, although this was the only year he competed in track.

Despite graduating high school without a college scholarship, Verrett was undeterred. He pursued higher education with an athletic focus at Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), where he won a spot on the all-conference first team in 2010. His prowess in the field helped him secure a commendable tag as a three-star recruit by Rivals.com.

Shifting his academic pursuit to TCU in 2011, Verrett intensified his football training. His tenacity was promptly rewarded with a total of 58 tackles during his first year. He continued to excel the following year, clocking 63 tackles and leading his team with six interceptions. In addition to being a first-team All-Big 12 Conference selection, Verrett was also named an All-American by Sports Illustrated.

In March 2014, Verrett set out to impress at the NFL Scouting Combine held in Indianapolis. A torn labrum in his shoulder did nothing to hamper his performance as he completed all the combine and positional drills. Standing second among all participating defensive backs in the 40-yard dash, he re-affirmed his athletic prowess. Opting to focus on bench press and vertical jump in TCU’s pro day, he impressed the scouts with an enormous 19 reps on the bench press despite his shoulder injury.

Prior to the draft, Verrett underwent surgery to mend a torn labrum he sustained during the season. He was given the chance to display his abilities to a broader audience via private workouts with teams like the Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets, and St. Louis Rams. These pre-draft visits helped elevate his stature, with NFL draft experts and scouts projecting him as a mid to late first-round pick.

The San Diego Chargers capitalized on Verrett’s promise by selecting him in the first round (25th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft. Among his many impressive feats, Verrett became the highest selected TCU defender since Bob Lilly in 1961. Following his selection, the Chargers rewarded him with a substantial four-year agreement worth $7.88 million.

Verrett had a solid career start with the Chargers, making his debut in a season opener against the Cardinals where he showcased his dominance on the field with four combined tackles and a pass deflection. His rookie season had its share of ups and downs, with injuries to his labrum and rotator cuff causing him to miss several games and be placed on injured reserve, ending his first season prematurely. However, his raw talent shone through, and he was named a Pro Bowl participant as a replacement for Darrelle Revis.

In the years following, Verrett consistently demonstrated his importance on the field, although recurring injuries resulted in multiple seasons being cut short. Nevertheless, his performance garnered attention, and he signed contracts with the San Francisco 49ers, playing key roles in several pivotal games and even participating in Super Bowl LIV.

Verrett’s career has been characterized by grit, determination, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Battle-scarred by physical hardships but relentless in his pursuit to play, Jason Verrett’s exploits in football stand as a testament to his dogged determination.