Red River Rivalry – Recruiting expert says Texas 'in the thick of it' with Oklahoma for four-star DL
One of the top remaining EDGE prospects in the country has seemingly narrowed things down to two programs. And Texas is one of them.
Why wait for the 121st edition of the Red River Rivalry when you can get it now on the recruiting trail? IMG Academy (Fla.) EDGE Jake Kreul is down to Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Texas. But one recruiting expert thinks there's a Top 2 now.
Rivals' Steve Wiltfong reported Tuesday the four-star prospect has Oklahoma and Texas out front in his recruitment. For now.
“Texas is in the thick of it for prized edge rusher Jake Kreul," Wiltfong said. "Oklahoma has been the perceived favorite for much of the process, but the Longhorns have been rising up the list this summer and are right there at the top for the IMG Academy pass rusher.”
The 6-foot-3, 230 pounder has a lot to like to his game.
Kreul competed in both the Under Armour All-America Game and the Polynesian Bowl. Now he has his sights set on a strong senior season and a college commitment. 247Sports' Andrew Ivins has seen plenty of Kreul already, but a strong fall on the gridiron for IMG Academy could potentially move him up for five-star contention.
Polished pass rusher that can win early or late with his technique and hustle. Might not blow you away off the hoof with his build, but game tape paints a different picture as he dips, rips and swipes his way through and around obstacles. Has proven to be an extremely efficient mover that can plant and redirect with little waisted motion. Owns a near complete menu of moves and is quick to cycle them as he likes to keep opponents guessing. Not one that has been asked to really anchor or hold up traffic, but tends to make plenty of effort-based stops in pursuit as he charges down the cleat line and gets ball carriers on the ground. Overall, should be viewed as an extremely advanced edge defender for his age. Easy to wonder how much more can be squeezed out of the player after he spent the past few years honing his craft at the NFL factory that is IMG Academy, but testing profile (1.65 split in the 10-yard dash, 4.18 in the short shuttle) and competitive drive signal that he’s got what it takes to make an impact at the Power Four level and then eventually become a pro. Likely to stick on the corner, but could always move closer to the ball depending on scheme and maturation. – Andrew Ivins, 247Sports
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Kreul will most likely make a decision this fall – taking some Saturday game day visits to check out the three campuses and what a game atmosphere is like. Oklahoma has the lead, for now, but Texas and Ole Miss are battling for him as well.
Inside Texas' Justin Wells says Texas is "trending here after the Sooners have probably put in the most effort in the recruitment…with Richard Wesley in the fold, Kreul would be the ideal bookend to the five-star commit from California."
247Sports ranks Kreul as the No. 61 overall prospect in the 2026 class. He is listed as the 8th-ranked EDGE prospect and Florida's No. 7 overall recruit.
