The Oklahoma Sooners receive both positive and negative news about one of their top recruits.

Oklahoma Sooners fans recently learned of both the good and the bad news surrounding Jake Kreul, a rising star at the EDGE rusher position and a top target for the 2026 recruiting cycle. Kreul has been at the center of heavy recruiting attention, with Oklahoma making him one of their highest priorities. The positive part of the story brings excitement; the negative part raises serious concerns about whether the program secures his commitment.

On the positive side, Oklahoma’s push for Kreul is reportedly gaining traction. Sources indicate that Kreul has named the Sooners as one of his serious finalistsalongside Texas and Ole Miss. Analysts say he’s responded favorably to Oklahoma’s plan for engaging and developing elite EDGE talent. That praise matters: when a blue-chip recruit feels aligned with a program’s culture and schematic vision, it strengthens the likelihood they’ll sign. It shows that Oklahoma’s new general manager, Jim Nagy, and staff are already making a mark even in their first full cycle.

But Kreul’s recruitment hasn’t been entirely smooth. The negative side involves recent uncertainty in the offensive staff and broader recruiting turmoil at Oklahoma. Multiple recruits in other positions have decommitted, and the Sooners are currently grappling with staff turnover and missed recruiting targets. That instability has reportedly concerned Kreul and his camp raising questions about whether Oklahoma offers the long-term stability he seeks . Though Kreul himself has not decommitted, the environment has made his recruitment more precarious.

This mixed signal “we’re excited about you” from one side and “our program is unsettled” from the other offers a snapshot of Oklahoma’s broader quarterback. They are trying to sell a vision built around strong recruiting, elite NIL packages, and a boost in player development. But until that vision is backed by clear consistency  especially on the coaching side some recruits remain hesitant.

Beyond Kreul, Oklahoma has had other recent recruiting disappointments. For instance, quarterback Jaden O’Neala four-star prodigy ranked as the top player in the state flipped to Florida State after coaching changes that made him question Oklahoma’s quarterback development plan . Other potential signees have opted elsewhere amidst broader recruiting turbulence. That track record adds weight to concerns about Jared’s ability to commit with conviction.

Despite these issues, Oklahoma’s staff remains bullish. They’ve celebrated commitments like that of five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi, who enrolled as an early enrollee in 2025 and represents a major win on the offensive line . Their success in securing top‑tier national recruits even amid instability suggests that they remain a legitimate national brand.

If Oklahoma can land Kreul, it would reinforce the narrative that their staff can sign elite defensive talent even amidst noise. Kreul ranks among the top few EDGE recruits nationally, and landing him would anchor OU’s defensive front with a future game-changer. That would help rebuild trust with fans who grew impatient after a down 6‑7 season in their SEC debut.

 The Sooner program currently faces a critical moment. Kreul’s recruitment represents both a major opportunity and a test. Oklahoma has delivered the messaging and recruitment alignment that elite prospects seek. But until they demonstrate broader program stability—especially in coaching and coordination—some recruits remain uncertain. A commitment from Kreul would signal forward momentum; a miss might reinforce concern about recruiting reliability.

Either way, Oklahoma’s pursuit of Jake Kreul captures where the program is right now: dealing with turbulence, but also capable of landing high-end talent if they can restore faith in their vision.