Orlando IMG Academy EDGE Jake Kreul will announce his college commitment next week, Aug. 12, ending plans for additional fall visits and narrowing his choice to Texas, Oklahoma and Ole Miss.
Kreul, a four-star recruit (6-foot-2, 220 pounds) ranked No. 41 overall and the No. 8 EDGE in the 2026 cycle by the Rivals Industry Ranking, told ESPN’s Eli Lederman of his decision timeline change on Tuesday. He previously indicated to Rivals that he planned to wait until October to decide and that he wasn’t close to a commitment, but the timeline has now accelerated. Florida has continued contact but was not included in his final three.
Recruiting projections this summer have leaned toward Oklahoma — the Rivals Recruiting Prediction Machine and reporting from Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong had favored the Sooners — but Texas and Ole Miss have been making late pushes. Wiltfong noted recently that Texas has closed ground on Oklahoma.
Kreul has spoken about what each finalist offers:
– Oklahoma: Praise for defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s staff and the program’s consistent defensive success under coordinator Brent Venables, along with the ways coaches are building around getting after the quarterback.
– Ole Miss: Admiration for coordinator Maurice Crum’s staff pedigree (senior staff experience at elite programs) and defensive line coaching, highlighting coach Chris Joyner as a top defensive ends coach.
– Texas: Interest in position coach Lance Clark’s background and Pete Kwiatkowski’s work with fronts that create chances for linemen to rush the passer.
What this means
– Whichever program lands Kreul gains a high-upside edge rusher who projects as a pass-rush piece off the edge and an addition to a recruiting class in need of length, athleticism and developmental coaching at the position.
– The late shift from an October timeline to an August commitment suggests accelerated recruiting contact and momentum from the three finalists, though Kreul has not publicly detailed the reason for the change.
Quick summary
Jake Kreul, an IMG Academy four-star EDGE and top-50 national prospect, will choose between Texas, Oklahoma and Ole Miss on Aug. 12 after trimming his list to those three programs in July. Rivals’ models have favored Oklahoma, but Texas and Ole Miss remain hot in the race; Florida has remained in contact despite not making the final cut. Kreul has cited coaching pedigree and defensive expertise as major factors.
Additional comments and things to watch
– How Kreul’s commitment affects each school’s recruiting board and class ranking, particularly for edge-rush depth.
– Whether Kreul takes an official visit before announcing or if an announcement will follow a visit.
– How quickly the chosen program integrates him into early enrolling or summer development plans (if he enrolls early).
Hopeful note
No matter the choice, Kreul’s stated priority of strong defensive coaching and player development suggests he’s focused on finding a program that will help him maximize his potential; that bodes well for his growth and for the program that secures him.