Gulf OL Kruse commits to Divison I college

Gulf lineman and four-year starter Jeff Kruse announced, via his Facebook page, that he has committed to a Division I college, but opted to keep everyone in suspense until signing day, which is a week from today on Feb. 1.

"Officially committed! #D-1," read Kruse's status at 7 a.m. this morning. When asked by the Tampa Tribune which school Kruse committed to, Kruse responded by saying, "I'm keeping it a secret until signing day! Hahaha!"

Kruse, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound prospect that competed in the pay-your-way Blue-Grey National All-Star Classic at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 14, was part of a dismal 2-8 Gulf team this past season. However, Kruse's size, strength and sub-five-second 40-yard dash time, got him a scholarship offer from Eastern Michigan on Dec. 11.

Plus, thanks to his more-than-4.0 GPA and enrollment in Gulf's International Baccalaureate program, Ivy League schools such as Princeton, which he visited in December and is most likely attending, and Harvard have shown interest. Those schools do not offer athletic scholarships, however, academic ones, meaning Kruse would have to try out for those teams.

"I'm so excited and I just can't hide it!!" his mother, Christine Kruse, commented on her son's Facebook status.

Kruse, who named a Pasco Tribune's All County first team offensive lineman, would most likely need to bulk up to 300 pounds plus to play guard at the next level, but has said teams are interested to try him at defensive tackle, as well.

Correspondent Andy Villamarzo contributed to this report. Correspondent Mike Camunas can be reached at mike.camunas@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter: @MikeCamunasTrib.