Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse recently recounted a grueling workout he endured with former Rams defensive star Aaron Donald during the offseason. Verse, known for his rising <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL career, shared the ordeal after poking fun at Donald’s workout videos earlier this year. The two training veterans met for an intense session that pushed Verse beyond his limits.
Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Verse detailed the unexpectedly brutal nature of Donald’s regimen, revealing how the session quickly escalated.
“I show up, it’s like 11 in the morning. I’m thinking we’ve got like an hour workout. I got plans after. I have things I have to do throughout the day. … We show up, he doesn’t say hi or anything like that. He sees me and he’s like, ‘Come on.’” —Jared Verse, Linebacker
The demanding structure of Donald’s circuit training
Verse explained that Donald’s workout is designed around high-intensity circuits, emphasizing cardio and strength with minimal rest. The session began with four different exercises targeting endurance and core strength, each done in four rounds.
“Everything he does is a circuit. We do four workouts, it’s all cardio. Versa climber, bike, lunges and core. Four rounds each. You do all that, you’re already tired. You’re like, ‘Oh my god, whatever.’ Then you do four sets of core, two different workouts. So it’s eight different workouts, four sets each.” —Jared Verse, Linebacker
“You do all that for four sets, you go through these and he says, ‘Alright, you ready for the real workout?’ I’m like, ‘I’ve been here for 45 minutes. What are you talking about?’” —Jared Verse, Linebacker
The workout then intensified further in the weight room, focusing primarily on arm strength through eight circuits, again performed in four sets each. Verse noted the duration and physical toll from the session.
“We go to the weight room. It’s all arms, that’s why he’s big as hell. It’s eight different circuits. All arms, four sets each. I’m there for an hour and a half.” —Jared Verse, Linebacker
Unexpected intervention and aftermath of the workout
During the session, Aaron Donald’s wife, Erica, appeared and provided a moment of comic relief amid Verse’s exhaustion. Verse joked about needing emergency assistance after the taxing training.
“His wife came in laughing at me. I told her to call the police. I’m dead serious. I’m not even joking. I told him to call the police, she wouldn’t do it. I tried to lie and say my mom was at my house and I had to go let her in. He told me to give my keys to his management or assistant and that they would go let my mom in.” —Jared Verse, Linebacker
Verse admitted that he was so sore following the workout that he couldn’t move well for the next day and a half, forcing him to take an extended recovery period.
Aaron Donald’s legacy and training ethos
Aaron Donald, who spent ten seasons with the Rams, earned 10 consecutive Pro Bowl selections and was named Defensive Player of the Year three times. He also helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl victory in 2022 before retiring in March 2024. Known for his fierce training habits throughout his career, Donald has maintained his rigorous approach to fitness even after stepping away from professional play.
Jared Verse’s breakout season and future outlook with the Rams
Jared Verse, the Rams’ standout linebacker, earned the Defensive Rookie of the Year award last season. His statistics included 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries, contributing to the Rams’ playoff berth. Although the team fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in the divisional round, Verse’s performance showed promise for becoming a defensive cornerstone in the future.
The Rams are set to begin their 2025 campaign at home on September 7, taking on the Houston Texans at SoFi Stadium. With Verse developing under the guidance of veterans like Donald, fans are hopeful the team can advance further in the postseason this coming year.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Jared Verse get drafted?
A. The Rams picked Verse in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, and he earned the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award.