Possible top schools list coming from IMG Academy 4-star WDE Jake Kreul in January

Florida 2026 4-star WDE Jake Kreul ready to narrow recruiting focus.
IMG Academy defensive lineman Jake Kreul (#88) wraps up Cocoa High quarterback Brady Hart (#13). Hart was called for a penalty for illegal forward pass on the play when he caught the ball tipped by IMG lineman Cameron McHaney (#95) and tried to pass it again. The IMG Academy National squad hosted the Cocoa High School Tigers Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Bradenton.
IMG Academy defensive lineman Jake Kreul (#88) wraps up Cocoa High quarterback Brady Hart (#13). Hart was called for a penalty for illegal forward pass on the play when he caught the ball tipped by IMG lineman Cameron McHaney (#95) and tried to pass it again. The IMG Academy National squad hosted the Cocoa High School Tigers Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Bradenton. / Mike Lang / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK

Since his days at Orlando’s Bishop Moore, Jake Kreul (6-3, 235) has been a master of chaos. Kreul has a track star’s burst off the line with a motor that can’t be beat. The other pieces of the game are coming together for the four-star; power and effective moves that are both taught and instinctive. The complete package with unlimited upside has the IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL) talent as one of the most sought-after players in the 2026 class.

Kreul fit in perfectly with the Ascenders becoming one of the leaders on defense with 39 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 11 QB hurries, and six sacks through nine games in 2024.

“I feel like the season was a learning experience going up a different level of competition,” Kreul shared. “I had a dominating pass rush this season and I was applying pressure on quarterbacks.”

IMG arguably went through the toughest high school football schedule in the country this season. Playing some of the toughest teams brought out the best in Kreul.

“I feel like I had a lot of good games,” Kreul stated. “I’d say my best was against East St. Louis or Cocoa. Against East St. Louis, I had three sacks. Cocoa was pass heavy with a lot of quick game stuff; it was a dominating showing there.”

The offseason is about preparing for the 2025 schedule and beyond.

“The biggest thing for me this offseason is the weight room,” Kreul said. “I want to get to college ready size. I want to be ready when I walk on campus. I want to be as college ready as I can.”

Kreul’s versatility has defensive coordinators in all schemes ready to sign him.

“The position I’m being recruited to play depends on the scheme they run,” Kreul stated. “In a base 3-4, they want me at the Jack position or at outside linebacker on the weakside. In a 4-2-5 or 4-3, they want me with a hand down. It all depends on where I go. For the most part they want me at Jack or at the modern-day edge pass rusher position.”

The four-star is open to all schemes at the next level.

“It doesn’t matter to me on the scheme,” Kreul shared. “I want to be as versatile as possible, that keeps you playing the longest.”

Reporting offers in the neighborhood of 50, Kreul will soon trim the recruiting focus.

“I haven’t done a top schools list yet,” Kreul said. “I plan on doing one in January.”

Asked how many will be on the list, Kreul replied, “I will have a top 12.”

The formation of the list will come down to one simple thing.

“Relationships for sure,” Kreul stated. “That is the number one thing. That will be the difference between the top schools, which schools I have the best relationships with.”

Oklahoma, Florida, Miami, Texas, and Ohio State had Kreul on campus this fall. The car ride up I-75 was discussed.

“That was an interesting one to Florida,” Kreul shared. “That was against Miami. I have known those coaches for a long time. My dad went there; I am kind of legacy. I visited there for a practice while they were getting ready for the bowl game. I’m in touch with them constantly. Florida has a good program; I’m very interested in them.”

Having a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year on staff at Miami has Kreul’s attention.

“That was a good visit,” Kreul said. “I was there for the FAMU (Florida A&M) game. There was good energy there. I met with coach (Jason) Taylor; you don’t get a coach like that at many schools.”

Trips in 2025 have not been arranged yet, but there are a few on Kreul’s travel wish list.

“I’m trying to get those set up,” Kreul stated. “I am planning them out. There are a lot of schools I need to see that I haven’t been to yet. USC, Oregon, Nebraska, Texas A&M, and Penn State are the ones I want to see but haven’t been to yet.”

The programs in regular contact were shared by Kreul, “I talk to Oklahoma, USC, Michigan, Ohio State, and Clemson a lot. There are a lot of teams reaching out. It is hard to name all of them off the top of my head.”

If all goes well, Kreul may wrap up his recruiting process with a commitment in June or July.

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Ryan Wright
RYAN WRIGHT

Ryan Wright brings decades of experience covering high school and college football to High School On SI. Over the last decade, Wright has shined a light on high school and junior college recruits across the country as the founder of RecruitingNewsGuru.com. He has also covered recruiting for the Los Angeles Times, Bleacher Report and Athlon Sports, among others. In addition, he served as a national recruiting analyst with Rivals.com, providing recruiting updates, rankings, and deep evaluations on player talents. He began work as a National Recruiting Analyst with High School On SI in 2024.