How Oklahoma Freshman DE Jake Kreul's 'Mindset' has Impressed Older Teammates

NORMAN — Defensive end Jake Kreul showed why he was such a highly touted prospect during the first week of spring ball.

Kreul is one of the 24 players from the Class of 2026 who signed with Oklahoma in December. Listed at 6-3 and 230 pounds, Kreul was rated as a 5-star prospect by ESPN, while Rivals and On3 graded him as a 4-star.

The true freshman edge rusher has already impressed senior Taylor Wein.

“Jake is better than I was as a true freshman — I’ll go ahead and say that,” Wein said. “I’ve never seen a true freshman come here and be as knowledgeable as he is.”

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As a senior at IMG Academy in Florida in 2025, Kreul recorded 36 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hurries, four sacks, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups. After his excellent final high school football season, Kreul competed at the Under Armour All-America Bowl and the Polynesian Bowl.

Despite all of these accolades and accomplishments, Kreul didn’t come to Norman with any entitlement.

“He came in with a good mindset, good mentality,” defensive end Danny Okoye said. “He really bought in with the standard we have here at the University of Oklahoma. It wasn't having to convince him to start pulling his weight type of thing, but more of ‘how much weight I can pull?’ type.”

Early in March — when local media outlets got to speak with OU’s newcomers — Kreul said that he has leaned on the older defensive ends to get acclimated.

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“There’s a lot I have to learn,” Kreul said. “It’s been great having these seniors — they’ve poured into me so much. I feel like that’s been a real difference maker. I’ve changed as a player, and it’s been awesome.”

And according to Wein, Kreul’s claim is accurate.

“He blows up my phone 24/7 with the best questions,” Wein said. “Even before he got here, he was asking questions about our defense. That’s special — something I haven’t seen before. He’s navigating his way, for sure.”

Wein led Oklahoma with seven tackles for loss in 2025, and after his superb season, he opted to put his NFL dreams on hold and play one more year at Oklahoma. Wein will almost certainly start at left defensive end, while Okoye, Kreul, Adepoju Adebawore and Kenny Ozowalu will likely battle for the No. 1 spot on the right side.

In addition to Kreul’s mindset, Okoye said that the true freshman’s natural skills have made the position group stronger and more competitive.

“He has that type of grit you need to play at a university like this and in the SEC with the physicality and speed he has naturally,” Kreul said. “I really like watching him and working alongside him.”

As a first-year college football player, Kreul likely won’t be a Week 1 starter — but he will likely play a significant role throughout his true freshman season.

And OU general manager Jim Nagy said he is “fired up” that Kreul will be a disruptor for the Sooners, both immediately and in the years ahead.

“I forgot how fast he was coming off the ball,” Nagy said. “He’s a really good athlete. You don’t bend like that or change direction like that without being a high-level athlete. He’s going to hit home a ton.”