5-Star Edge Rusher Jake Kreul Picks Oklahoma Over Texas & Ole Miss in 2026 Recruiting Stunner

Oklahoma has landed its cornerstone pass-rusher of the future. Five-star edge defender Jake Kreul — the No. 22 overall prospect and No. 3 defensive end in ESPN’s 2026 rankings — announced his commitment to the Sooners on Tuesday, choosing OU over finalists Texas and Ole Miss. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Kreul, a native of Orlando, Florida, has spent the past two seasons sharpening his skills at national powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton. As a junior he logged 39 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hurries and six sacks in nine games, helping IMG to a 7-2 record. Why Kreul picked Oklahoma • Relationship with staff: Kreul credited defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis and head coach Brent Venables for “relentless communication” during a recruitment that spanned more than 18 months. • Scheme fit: Oklahoma’s multiple-front defense puts explosive “jack” rushers in space, a role Kreul said “matches exactly how IMG uses me off the edge.” • SEC move: With OU entering the SEC in 2025, Kreul sees “the best of both worlds — Big-Time SEC ball and a defensive culture that wins.” Impact on the Sooners’ 2026 class Kreul becomes Oklahoma’s eighth pledge — and its first five-star — pushing the Sooners to No. 4 nationally in the 247Sports Composite class rankings. He joins four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley and four-star tight end Tyler Ruxer as headliners of a group heavy on front-seven talent. Scouting report • Burst: Elite first step that forces tackles to over-set. • Bend: Shows rare ankle flexion to corner without losing speed. • Motor: Plays through the whistle; logged a 4.6-second laser-timed 40 at IMG’s pro day this spring. Areas to refine: Adding 10-15 pounds of functional strength and developing a wider counter-move arsenal. What’s next Kreul plans to enroll early in January 2026 and compete for rotational snaps as a true freshman. He will return to IMG for his senior campaign, where he’ll chase the program’s single-season sack record of 14. Social buzz Minutes after announcing live on the Pat McAfee Show, Kreul’s decision surged across X, with Sooners quarterback commit Bowe Bentley tweeting “The foundation is SET!” while OU fans pushed #BoomerSooner to the platform’s national trending list. Bottom line Locking up Jake Kreul solidifies Oklahoma’s edge room for the SEC era and delivers a statement win over rival Texas on the recruiting trail. For the Sooners, Tuesday’s pledge could be the catalyst that turns a top-five haul into the nation’s No. 1 class when the 2026 cycle closes.