One of the Florida Gators’ official visitors this past weekend was a legacy target whose dad attended the University of Florida.
Defensive end Jake Kreul (6-3, 230, Bradenton, FL., IMG) was on campus and had the chance to live out a dream of putting on a Florida jersey.
“I mean, getting to put on the jersey that was insane,” Kreul said of the highlights of his visit to Florida. “I’m just really excited to see what they do this year, especially since I plan to take my commitment into the fall, kind of October-ish. So, kind of getting to see the hype around them, like what they do to come out this year. I’m really excited to see what they come out doing this season with DJ Lagway at quarterback.”
One of the highlights of the trip was Kreul getting to sit down with Mike Peterson, Ron Roberts, and Billy Napier and talking ball.
“I think the last like two or three hours was probably my favorite part,” he said. “I sat down with Coach Napier for like 30 minutes, met with Coach Roberts for like an hour just going over scheme and everything, how they do everything, their verbiage, and then after I went and sat down with Coach Peterson for like 45 minutes to an hour. Just kind of making a plan for development for what he sees me doing from year one to year three or four.”
Outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson and Napier explained to Kreul just how he could help the program if he came to Florida.
“They think I can come in here and make an impact,” Kreul said of Florida’s pitch to him. “Not just as a player but as a person on campus, just kind of being a good face around the program. They like my intangibles, like my character, how I talk to people, and how I lead people. So, I think they see me being able to do those things once I earn my stripes as a player, once I prove myself on the field, I will have the ability to be a leader off the field as well.”
Kreul has kept a tight lid on his top schools, and he says things are tight for him, but he admits Florida is a school that will be in it until the end.
“Top four, top five,” he said on where Florida stands for him. “I mean, they’re going to be a school that’s going to be there till the end of my decision. Like they’re going to be a school that I’m deciding from.”
Next up for Kreul will be more visits, and then he will start thinking of visits for this fall, and he plans to be in Gainesville for a game this fall.
“Tomorrow [Monday] I go to Ole Miss for a midweek visit and then I have Texas and Oklahoma,” Kreul said. “So those would be my last three official visits and then we were thinking about maybe coming back [to Florida] for like an unofficial for OTA’s, just kind of see it again. I talked to Coach Napier about that, so there’s a chance that might happen. Then I think just kind of going deep, the gamedays of the schools that I OV to, the schools that I’m serious about right now.