Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse entered pretty strong company as he was named the Associated Press' Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2024 NFL season.

Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press released the vote totals, which showed Verse winning by a large margin over four finalists: Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, teammate Braden Fiske and Miami Dolphins linebacker Chop Robinson.

He's the first Rams player to receive the award since Aaron Donald in 2014.

This follows the Pro Football Writers of America also honoring Verse as their top defensive standout from the rookie class.

Verse's modest sack total (4.5) doesn't tell the full story of how much he disrupted opposing quarterbacks all year. He finished with 66 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss. Stu Jackson of the Rams' official site noted he was first among rookies in QB hits (18), pressures (77) and hurries (56).

The playoffs couldn't have been a better showcase for the No. 19 overall pick. In Los Angeles' 27-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings, he returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown. Then in the NFC divisional round against the Philadelphia Eagles, he sacked Jalen Hurts twice in a losing effort.

Nobody is truly comparing the two, but Verse's ROY nod is likely to make the parallels with Donald even stronger. You can't blame fans for watching the rookie bowl over offensive linemen and seeing shades of the legendary defensive tackle.

Verse is a sign of how deftly general manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have managed the inevitable transition away from the all-in approach that led to a Super Bowl title in 2021.

After the Rams won five games in 2022, fans quickly came to realize how the roster was getting older and that a series of trades left the draft cupboard pretty bare. But some shrewd drafting by Snead and great coaching by McVay meant L.A. quickly returned to contender status. Grabbing Verse in the middle of the first round was one such example of Snead's acumen.

Verse has set a high bar for himself in 2025. Having won Rookie of the Year and become a Pro Bowler, hitting double digits in sacks and making an All-Pro team might be near the top of his individual checklist.