Utah standout may change tune
Defensive end Joe Kruger (6-7.5, 235, 4.6) from Orem (Utah) Timpanogos has been a soft committal to Utah for some time. He has deep ties to the Utah program, but he may have different plans and hearing beat of a different drum.
Besides Utah, Kruger has offers from BYU, Oregon, Oregon State and UCLA.
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"I really like how Utah's coaches run the program," Kruger said when asked about the early commitment to the Utes. "I really like the coaches and I also have two brothers who play there.
"My family is kind of well known in Utah and I kind of want to go out of state to start my own legacy," Kruger said. "If I had to name a top three it would be Utah, BYU and UCLA."
"UCLA is a definite possibility," Kruger said. "It's in L.A. and the coaches are really interested in their players."
"UCLA is a team that is looking better and progressing," Kruger said. "I will probably come down and visit UCLA in the summer, but I don't know exactly when."
Football is definitely in Kruger's blood. His older brother, Paul Kruger will forego his junior and senior seasons to enter into the NFL draft that is coming up in April. His other brother Dave Kruger was a freshman for Utes.
Kruger's athletic bloodlines come from his parents. Both were D-I athletes at Oregon State. His dad Paul Kruger, played football for Oregon State and his mother Jennifer Kruger participated in track and field.
Will Kruger's ties to Oregon State play a part in his decision?
"I don't think it will impact my decision," Kruger said. "It was a long time ago and there are all new there."
Kruger earned first-team all-state and first-team all-conference honors as a junior after racking up 80 tackles, nine sacks and one fumble recovery.
In the weight room, Kruger's current bench is 235, he squats 325 and power cleans 215.
The scouting report on Kruger is he's a team leader and gets things done. He's the kind of player who will make the play when the team needs it most.
A good around athlete who also plays basketball. He averages 12 points per game and 10 rebounds.