HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Jared Verse was immediately handed a phone when he eluded Friday traffic and arrived at the opulent beach-adjacent home serving as the Los Angeles Rams’ temporary headquarters for the NFL draft.

The first-round pick from Florida State was told to talk to the Rams’ second-round pick.

“I’m like, ‘Oh, who is it?’” Verse said with a grin. “Fiske? No way!”

“How’s it going, J?” replied a teary-eyed Braden Fiske, Verse’s teammate last season on the Seminoles’ defensive front.

The Rams traded a second-round pick in 2025 to move up Friday for the chance to reunite two dynamic defensive players who forged a deep friendship and strong chemistry during one season together in Tallahassee.

“That was the last thing I was expecting,” Fiske said. “I swear we were just talking about that. What if me and Jared went to the same team? And sure enough, it happened. I just can’t believe it happened.”