OU 5-star target announcing decision soon like LeBron James

Five-star defensive end Jake Kreul will finally announce his college decision soon.

ESPN's Eli Lederman recently reported that Kreul will announce his college choice on Tuesday, Aug. 12, live on ESPN's College Football Live. Based on ESPN's recruiting ratings, Kreul will be the last five-star prospect in the 2026 class to make a commitment after narrowing down his choices to the Oklahoma Sooners, Texas Longhorns and Ole Miss Rebels last month.

Jake Kreul sets decision date on ESPN

What's been deemed "The Decision," Kreul's announcement is reminiscent of when NBA star LeBron James announced his plan to join the Miami Heat as a free agent with a special broadcast on ESPN, which was also titled, "The Decision."

Obviously Kreul's decision won't be the biggest sports news of the year, but it will still send shockwaves throughout college football as the peak of recruiting season winds downs. He would be the first five-star commitment to join the Sooners' recruiting class.

However, although ESPN rates Kreul as a five-star prospect, every other major recruiting service gave Kreul four stars as a prospect out of IMG Academy in Florida. According to the 247Sports Composite, Kreul is the No. 63 overall prospect and No. 9 edge rusher in the 2026 class, while ESPN ranks Kreul way up as the No. 22 overall recruit.

Kreul recently tumbled 134 spots from the No. 41overall prospect to No. 175 in Rivals' newest rankings. That same set of rankings also has Kreul as the No. 24 defensive end, even behind OU defensive end commit Daniel Norman, who had a massive jump from No. 436 to No. 151 in Rivals' new rankings.

Sooner Nation has still shown belief in Kreul despite the free fall. Kreul has been predicted to choose the Sooners for months now by multiple recruiting experts, so OU fans have already welcomed Kreul as one of their own with that anticipation. However, nothing is for sure until after "The Decision."

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