Jake Kreul doesn’t talk a lot, but when he does, people in college football circles tend to listen. The IMG Academy edge rusher has been blowing past offensive tackles for two seasons now, stacking up 23 sacks and building a tape that screams first-round upside. This past weekend, Kreul made his latest stop in a whirlwind recruitment tour—Boulder, Colorado. There, he linked up with Deion Sanders and spent time soaking in the Buffaloes’ atmosphere. In a recruiting battle that’s as wide open as any in the nation, all eyes are watching to see which way the No. 31 overall prospect in the country leans—and whether Coach Prime has enough juice to land a top-tier defensive game-changer.
So, how did Boulder treat one of the most coveted defenders in the 2025 cycle? Jake Kreul didn’t mince words in an interview with DNVR Buffs, and it’s clear Deion and Colorado made a lasting impression. “I think the word for it is ‘electric’,” Kreul said. “It definitely exceeded any type of expectation I had and kind of blew it out of the water.” That’s not a casual compliment. That’s a full-on endorsement from a player who’s seen elite programs up close.
“I got to go hang out with my teammates while I was there, Alex McPherson and London Merritt. Meet with Coach Deion for a little bit over an hour, kind of gets to know the position coaches a lot more on a personal level, and take some really cool photos, which I think everyone has seen me post on my Instagram or Twitter, but yeah, it was an awesome visit. I really enjoyed it,” he added.
That word, electric, hangs heavy. It speaks to what Deion Sanders has tried to cultivate since arriving in Boulder: a sense of movement, energy, culture. Recruits want flash, but they also want connection, and Kreul’s breakdown of his visit shows that Colorado’s staff went beyond the surface. A full hour with Coach Prime isn’t a formality—that’s a sales pitch tailored directly to someone expected to become a defensive cornerstone.
Kreul made it clear that the relationship-building stood out, saying he got to “kind of get to know the position coaches a lot more on a personal level,” which suggests that Colorado isn’t just banking on Prime’s brand but the full staff buy-in. This wasn’t a photo op. This was real recruiting, and it clearly clicked.
5 EDGE Jake Kreul was in Boulder this past weekend
He says the visit was “Electric” pic.twitter.com/19zHBJ4fIZ
— DNVR Buffs (@DNVR_Buffs) May 5, 2025
At 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds, Kreul is one of the most polished pass rushers in the country. He doesn’t rely on brute strength or one flashy move—his game is layered. The scouting notes from 247Sports describe him as a “polished pass rusher that can win early or late with his technique and hustle.” That’s the key word: hustle. He may not be the guy who walks off the bus and immediately looks like a Greek statue, but once the ball is snapped, he dips, rips, and swipes his way around offensive lines with a relentless motor and pro-level toolbox. He’s a true EDGE—not just a DE or LB hybrid—but someone whose role is to collapse pockets and punish QBs.
But the battle’s far from over. Jake Kreul revealed his official visit slate, and it’s a who’s who of college football powerhouses: Colorado gets the first crack this weekend on May 2, followed by visits to Ohio State (May 30), Florida (June 7), Texas (June 13), and Oklahoma (June 20). That’s five top-tier programs with massive NIL potential, defensive pedigree, and NFL pipelines. Each stop will try to match or exceed the impression Boulder left, but make no mistake—Colorado struck early, and they struck hard.
As it stands, Jake Kreul is teetering on the edge of five-star status.
Deion Sanders enters heated race for 5-Star Edge
Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffs are gearing up for a massive recruiting weekend, with a star-studded guest list rolling into Boulder. At the center of the buzz was five-star edge rusher Jake Kreul. The elite defender from Florida is one of Deion Sanders’ top targets, and Colorado will get their shot to impress as Kreul’s recruitment heats up into a full-on five-way battle.
Alongside Kreul, the Buffs will also host Lake Ridge (Texas) five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo, Greene County (Mississippi) four-star WR Jase Mathews, Carthage (Texas) four-star RB KJ Edwards, and Windsor (Colorado) four-star OL Deacon Schmitt. Safe to say — the red carpet is being rolled all the way out.
Kreul isn’t tipping his hand just yet, though. Still, the Buffaloes are a long way away from a Kreul commitment, as he remains pretty open. And there’s good reason for the attention. According to 247Sports, Kreul is the real deal: “Has proven to be an extremely efficient mover that can plant and redirect with little wasted motion… should be viewed as an extremely advanced edge defender for his age,” and Deion Sanders is banking on him.
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