IMG's Kreul Finishes Off Impressive Career

DELAND – It was a late winter day in Fort Lauderdale as the off-season combine season kicked off the tour of the country to promote and uncover some of the best underclass high school football talent in the nation.   As players went through their drills, there were numerous faces that many had come to know from the years of exposure – and in many cases – hype.   These off-season events were always in place to measure what some of these gifted athletes brought to the table. While it was never designed to be a barometer for the actual football skills, it did uncover what many of these gifted hopefuls brought to the table in the way of “twitch” as well strength and skills.   As the players went through drills, there was one player, undersized but definitely talented. Rep after rep he was going 100 percent against some already established prospects. As the day went on, it was evident that Orlando Bishop Moore linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1212165' first='Jake' last='Kreul'] was certainly not your average 14-year-old. He was just different.   With that event, his name was thrust into the spotlight and recruiting analysts and fan websites quickly learned the name.   In camp and combine settings where talented players perform well, the major question was always whether the game would transfer when the pads and helmets went on and the stakes were much, much higher. That question was not only answered the following season, but over the next three as this impressive talent started to grow physically and become not only the best in Florida, but nationally.   His move to Bradenton's national power IMG Academy two years ago showed the country that this was indeed someone to keep an eye on – and he never disappointed.   Appearing last year in the Under Armour Next All-America Game as a junior he proved that his play could stack up against the best in the country, proving it weekly with the schedule that competed against.   When he committed to attend the University of Oklahoma, the now 6'3, 240-pound defensive lineman was right where everyone felt he would be – and as signing day rolled around – he knew that Norman, Oklahoma would be the perfect fit.   This past week, he was once again selected to play in the Under Armour Next All-America Game at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand, and as he did three years ago, this impressive talent, competing in his final high school contest didn't disappoint. Along with Michigan signee Tariq Boney (St. John's College Prep – Washington DC), Kreul's two sacks tied for fourth-most in the game's history.   For those who watched Kreul perform from the beginning knew that this was someone who was special. He continued to go out every day throughout the years and show that what many had watched at Bishop Moore and the past few seasons at IMG Academy was a young man that was ready for the big stage – and will now have the opportunity to perform at the Southeastern Conference level.   EASTON ROYAL WINS MVP AS TEAM ROSES WINS     Team Roses used dynamic performances from several of its superstars on Saturday, but perhaps none were brighter than game MVP and Texas verbal Easton Royal (Slidell Brother Martin, Louisiana) in its win over Team Peals, 23-9, in the annual contest.   Royal punctuated Team Roses' victory with an incredible one-handed touchdown catch from Notre Dame pledge Teddy Jarrard (Kennesaw North Cobb Christian), a 42-yard strike that capped the scoring for the day at 23-9.   It was Team Pearls that got on the board first as Sarasota Booker's Tyren Hornes was on the receiving end of a 24-yard touchdown pass from Texas A&M commit Jayce Johnson (Valdosta Lowndes County, Georgia) for the 6-0 advantage. Team Roses responded in the second quarter as [player_tooltip player_id='1670960' first='Zion' last='White'] (Bradenton IMG) and Peyton Houston (LSU verbal from Shreveport Evangel Christian, Louisiana) connected on a 23-yard touchdown to even the score at 6-6.   The teams exchanged field goals during the remainder of the half – with Georgia signee Harran Zureikat (Pittsburgh Fox Chapel, Pa.) converted on a 46-yarder and North Carolina signee David Green (High Point Christian, North Carolina) made his 28-yard attempt to make the score 9-9 at the half.   After a scoreless third quarter, Team Roses took the lead for good early in the fourth when Houston scored on a four-yard touchdown run, then Royal's run for two gave Team Roses the 17-9 lead, one it would not relinquish. Royal's one-handed touchdown grab completed the scoring.   Before the start of the second half, Hornes officially committed to UCF, selecting the Knights among numerous other high-major offers. In addition, Class of 2027 defensive lineman Jaiden Bryant (Columbia Irmo, South Carolina) made his pledge to LSU.   SCORING PLAYS   Pearls: Q1, 3:57: T. Hornes 24 yard reception from J. Johnson (PAT failed, rush by J. Johnson), 6-0   Roses: Q2, 11:50: Z. White 23-yard reception from P. Houston (PAT failed, pass by P. Houston), 6-6   Pearls: Q3, 7:00: H. Zureikat 46-yard field goal, 9-6   Roses: Q2, 00:14: D. Green 28-yard field goal, 9-9   Roses: Q4, 10:50: P. Houston 4-yard rush (PAT good, E. Royal rush), 17-9   Roses: Q4, 8:02: E. Royal 41-yard reception from T. Jarrard (PAT failed, pass by T. Jarrard), 23-9   NOTABLE PERFORMERS   Christian Alexander's (Tunica Rose Fort, Mississippi) 13 rushing attempts are tied for fifth-most in the game's history.   Peyton Houston's 11 pass completions are tied for fourth-most in the game's history.   Illinois signee Kamden Lopati's (West Valley, Utah) nine pass completions are tied for ninth-most in the game's history.   [player_tooltip player_id='1670960' first='Zion' last='White']'s five receptions are tied for eighth-most in the game's history.   Harran Zureikat's 46-yard field goal is tied for third-longest in the game's history.   Ohio State signee Cincere Johnson's (Cleveland Glenville, Ohio) nine tackles are tied for third-most in the game's history.   Tariq Boney's three tackles for loss are tied for seventh-most in the game's history.   2026 PREP REDZONE FLORIDA STOCK UP EVENT. <a href="https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida">https://events.prepredzone.com/e/2137/register/stock-up-showcase-florida</a>   Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a>   You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.   COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! <a href="mailto:Floridakids1@aol.com">Floridakids1@aol.com</a>.

DELAND – It was a late winter day in Fort Lauderdale as the off-season combine season kicked off the tour of the country to promote and uncover some of the best underclass high school football talent in the nation.