Most aren't expecting freshman defensive end Jake Kreul to need much time to start making an impact for the Oklahoma Sooners, including ESPN.
Along with transfer wide receivers Parker Livingstone (34) and Trell Harris (42), ESPN on Tuesday included Kreul in the outlet's ranking of the top 100 newcomers for the upcoming 2026 college football season. The top 100, though, was flooded with transfers already with college experience, including Livingstone and Harris, but Kreul was one of the rare freshmen to make the cut at No. 66.
"Kreul has a multitude of pass-rush moves and a high football IQ to transition to SEC football faster than most true freshmen," Billy Tucker wrote. "He plays with great pad leverage and flexibility, with the ability to dip and rip under blocks. His speed off the edge is one of his strongest traits, and he can also convert speed to power effectively in his pass rush. Kreul is looking to carve out a role in Norman after turning heads this spring with a chance to be an impact rotational player this fall."
ESPN gives more reason to believe Jake Kreul will make immediate impact for Oklahoma Sooners
ESPN thinking highly of Kreul is nothing new. The outlet was the only major recruiting service to give Kreul five stars while Rivals and 247Sports both listed him as a four-star recruit out of powerhouse IMG Academy in Florida. According to the 247Sports Composite, Kreul was the No. 9 edge rusher and No. 72 overall player in the 2026 class.
Regardless of different takes on his potential, Kreul was the crown jewel of the Sooners' most recent signing class and is clearly already living up to the hype after just a few months on campus as an early enrollee.
Read more: 3 Oklahoma 2026 signees who could make an impact Day 1
During OU's spring game in his first appearance in front of fans at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Kreul tallied three tackles, a tackle for loss and a quarterback. That showing punctuated a spring camp that generated a lot of buzz about Kreul.
The talent is evidently there, so the only thing that could keep Kreul off the field early on would be the older talent in front of him. Taylor Wein has one of the edges locked up, while Adepoju Adebawore and Danny Okoye will compete for the starting job on the other side. OU also added UTEP transfer Kenny Ozowalu, but considering how much Brent Venables rotates along the defensive line, there should still be plenty of opportunity for Kreul this season. What exactly he does with those chances and if it grows into even more is what has fans so excited.
That situation should actually benefit Kreul the most in the long run before he eventually takes over as the Sooners' key pass rusher. He can develop under those veterans like Wein, who led OU with seven sacks last season, while playing for one of the best defensive ends coach in college football in Miguel Chavis.
Kreul has the potential to not only be vital for the Sooners' future, but also right now.
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