Jake Kreul

Physical Profile

At 6-3, 230-235, Kreul has a lean, ascending edge frame with track-star acceleration off the snap rather than the bulk of a power end. His get-off and corner-bend are elite for the class, but he currently lacks the mass and anchor strength to consistently set a hard edge or stack-and-shed in the run game. The build profiles as a stand-up rusher / 4-3 weak-side end now, with clear room to add 15-20 quality pounds to handle the SEC's offensive tackles without sacrificing the burst that defines his game.

Play Style

A finesse-and-quickness edge who wins with get-off, plan, and bend rather than power. On film he exposes slow-footed tackles immediately, builds speed through the corner, and uses inside counters to capitalize when blockers oversell the edge. He's most dangerous as a designated pass rusher and in pursuit, where his burst and agility let him close in space; he can also slide inside on obvious passing downs to attack guards in mismatches.

Strengths

• Elite first-step explosion and snap anticipation — shoots out of his stance and consistently wins the edge with speed-to-corner; production backs it up (6 sacks, 11 hurries, 39 tackles as a junior in 2025)
• Outstanding bend, balance and hip turn flattening to the quarterback, allowing him to convert speed rushes into finished plays around the arc
• High-octane, relentless motor with the lateral agility to chase in pursuit and make plays well beyond the tackle box; counters with inside/outside moves and baits blockers into bad sets

Areas to Improve

• Functional play strength and mass — needs to develop a true power element (bull rush, long-arm) and an anchor to defend the run and not get displaced by bigger SEC tackles
• Block deconstruction at the point of attack — must improve hand usage and stack-and-shed technique so he's more than a pursuit defender against the run

College Projection

Projects as a sub-package pass-rush specialist as a true freshman who earns snaps on third downs and passing situations while he develops his body and run-game technique. With a strength jump and added mass, he has the traits to become a full-time starting edge by year two and a double-digit-sack disruptor in Venables' attacking front, which is an ideal scheme fit for his rush-first skill set.

NFL Outlook

Legitimate Day 1-2 developmental upside if the strength and counter-rush development tracks. The explosive get-off, bend and motor are translatable NFL pass-rush traits, but his draft ceiling hinges on adding functional power and proving he can hold up against the run — without it, he risks a situational-rusher label. A strong college trajectory could put him in the early-round conversation.

Best Fit

An attacking, penetration-first defense that lets him fire upfield rather than two-gap — exactly what Oklahoma offers under Brent Venables. He's ideal as a wide-9 / weak-side end or a stand-up rush linebacker in a multiple front, in a strength-and-conditioning program that can add mass without dulling his burst.