The Florida Gators are in the middle of spring practice as they will resume on Monday after taking last week off for spring break and with that comes visits from prospects.
Outside linebacker Jake Kreul (6-3, 230, Bradenton, FL. IMG Academy) was on campus recently to watch spring practice and he feels like things are improving in Gainesville.
“It was good,” Kreul said of his visit to Florida two weeks ago. “I feel like basically every time I go back, they look like they’re getting better and better. That’s kind of been my consensus opinion on them. Every time I visit, it just seems like it’s getting better and better.”
Kreul watched the defense closely and he liked how the coaching staff was heavy on the pass rush during practice.
“I think it was good,” he said on watching Mike Peterson and the guys practice. “I think they definitely had a high emphasis on pass rush and getting after the quarterback so it kind of shows that I would be a good fit for something like that. That’s kind of the X factor and I kind of like how they’re starting to build things up there and the culture.”
While watching the defense, Kreul noticed a few of the outside linebackers who stood out to him during practice.
“I kind of just watched the whole defensive line,” Kreul said of what he watched during practice. “They looked good between people like LJ [McCray] and [Tyreak] Sapp they have a bunch of talent off the edge.”
Outside linebackers coach Mike Peterson explained to Kreul why the Gators want him and what they have seen from him lately.
“I think they think I’m one of the best pass rushers in the country if not the best,” he said on the message from Mike Peterson. “You know with my dad going there, growing up a Florida Gator fan, they kind of emphasize that they think it’s a great fit for me and that I could come in and make an impact early. They see my growth as a player, how I’ve grown physically and technically. They want to see me continue to grow at their program and they think that they can develop me to be the best player I can be.”
Head coach Billy Napier also talked with Kreul during the visit and explained to him that the Gators’ have noticed the work he has put in.
“I think he’s definitely got a little bit more personal with me,” Kreul said on talks with Napier. “Like when I’m in his office, he even pulled up how he has seen me grow physically with my speed, strength and everything. He kind of acknowledged that and he acknowledged that the work I’ve been putting in this offseason has definitely shown and he’s excited to see what I do in spring ball and he really wants me to get back there for an official visit.”
Kreul plans to take more spring visits and then he hopes to set his official visit schedule up after those visits.
“I think May, May is kind of when I want to set up my official visits,” he said. “I think all of the schools in the top 12 are really going after me hard. It’s kind of hard to single out one because I feel like they’ve all made me feel like I’m a priority to them and that they’re going to do everything in their power to try to get me on their roster in their program.”