About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma Sooners ' defense has been one of the best in college football through the first half of the season. It's a talented group with several veterans playing at a high level. Though the team took a disappointing loss to Kentucky on Saturday, one of the biggest stories was true freshman defensive end Jake Kreul's performance.
Kreul was credited with 2.5 sacks, 0.5 tackles for loss, and six total tackles. Kreul's fourth-and-4 sack inside the Sooners' own 10 shut down a potential Kentucky scoring drive and gave the Sooners the ball back with a chance to take the lead.
For his efforts, Kreul was named SEC Freshman of the Week on Monday.
It's a breakout that's been coming, as Kreul has seen an increase in snaps over Oklahoma's last five games. He played a career-high 33 snaps against Kentucky and was one of the best players on the field.
Out of IMG Academy, Kreul was a five-star prospect according to ESPN and one of the best edge rushers in the country. Scouts praised his advanced pass rush skills and tenacity and that's shown up early in his Oklahoma career.
This year, he has nine total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and leads the Sooners with three sacks. He's become a big part of the Sooners' defensive end rotation and is proving to be a big-time player as a run defender and a pass rusher.
The Oklahoma Sooners have one of the best defensive lines in college football, and freshman Jake Kreul's emergence has taken the depth to another level off the edge.
Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (1) runs with the ball as Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Ty Bryant (14) defends during the first quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is is pictured during the= college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oklahoma Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle is pictured during the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) is pressured by Kentucky's Mi'quise Humphrey-Grace (90) as he throws in the fourth quarter of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jake Kreul (98) reacts after tackling Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey (3) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Elijah Barnes (0) and Kentucky Wildcats defensive lineman Mi'quise Humphrey-Grace (90) tackle Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) reacts during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) scrambles in the fourth quarter of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) makes a diving catch in front of Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Courtland Guillory (4) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oklahoma's Michael Boganowski (25) tackles Kentucky's Jason Patterson (26) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oklahoma's Manny Choice (0) makes. catch as Kentucky's Hasaan Sykes (12) defends in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oklahoma's Jonathan Hatton Jr. (20) looks to get by Kentucky's Ty Bryant (14) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; The Sooner Schooner runs onto the field before the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jake Kreul (98) and Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) tackle Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey (3) during the first quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners punter Jacob Ulrich (87) throws an interception while attempting a fake field goal during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) greets offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle before the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oklahoma's Rocky Beers (81) makes a touchdown catch in front of Kentucky's Ty Bryant (14) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws during the first quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (1) runs with the ball as Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Ty Bryant (14) defends during the first quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III (1) runs with the ball as Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Ty Bryant (14) defends during the first quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables is is pictured during the= college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 3 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oklahoma Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle is pictured during the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 4 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) is pressured by Kentucky's Mi'quise Humphrey-Grace (90) as he throws in the fourth quarter of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 5 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jake Kreul (98) reacts after tackling Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey (3) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 6 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Elijah Barnes (0) and Kentucky Wildcats defensive lineman Mi'quise Humphrey-Grace (90) tackle Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 7 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Taylor Wein (44) reacts during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 8 / 18 Oklahoma-Mississippi State gets Week 8 TV channel designation Oklahoma's John Mateer (10) scrambles in the fourth quarter of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 9 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) makes a diving catch in front of Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Courtland Guillory (4) during the second half at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 10 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oklahoma's Michael Boganowski (25) tackles Kentucky's Jason Patterson (26) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 11 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oklahoma's Manny Choice (0) makes. catch as Kentucky's Hasaan Sykes (12) defends in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 12 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oklahoma's Jonathan Hatton Jr. (20) looks to get by Kentucky's Ty Bryant (14) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 13 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; The Sooner Schooner runs onto the field before the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 14 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jake Kreul (98) and Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Kip Lewis (10) tackle Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey (3) during the first quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 15 / 18 'Wouldn't change it': Brent Venables on Oklahoma's fake field goal Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners punter Jacob Ulrich (87) throws an interception while attempting a fake field goal during the second quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 16 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) greets offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle before the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 17 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oklahoma's Rocky Beers (81) makes a touchdown catch in front of Kentucky's Ty Bryant (14) in the first half of the college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct., 17, 2026. (SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co) 18 / 18 Photos from Oklahoma Sooners' 21-13 loss to Kentucky Oct 17, 2026; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws during the first quarter against the Kentucky Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images (Kevin Jairaj, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams .
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma Sooners DE Jake Kreul wins SEC Freshman of the Week
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