NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Paul Kruger, DE, Utah
by Paul Eide
Senior Writer
3/8/09


For a guy who only played two full college seasons, Paul Kruger fit a lifetime of experiences into his time at the University of Utah. The 6-4, 263 pound Kruger came to Utah as a quarterback in 2004 before using his redshirt that season. For the next two years, Kruger was away from football altogether and went on an LDS church mission in Kansas City.

For most players, being away from the field for three years in the middle of their supposed physical prime would be a death sentence, but it wasn’t for Kruger. Upon his return to the football field in 2007 his 63 tackles led the league amongst freshmen and also had 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, five pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and an interception. Following the season Kruger survived an incident in January 2008 when he was stabbed twice in the midsection while coming to the aid of a friend at a party. After several months of rehab, Kruger made a full recovery and ultimately had his best collegiate season making first-team All-Mountain West in 2008 with 61 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and seven pass breakups.

TFE:  Where did you go on your two year mission and how has it affected your longevity?

PK:  I served in Kansas City for two years and had a great experience. It really affected my personality and character. I’m very grounded, very responsible, I learned a lot about life. And it also gave me the opportunity to see the perspective of a lot of different kinds of people. It made me feel a lot of confidence as far as who I am, what I’m all about and where I want to be in life. Being away for the game for two years is a negative thing, but it just takes time and effort to get back to where you need to be and it wasn’t a problem for me.”

TFE:  Hardest thing to get used to after two year hiatus?

PK:  You’re so structured on your mission, you’ve been away from friends and family you’re just so happy to see everyone again, that hardest thing was being able to do my own thing again, which is the best part, but it was a big adjustment to have all that time again and to create my own days.

TFE:  Does it make you more able to enjoy the success you’ve had this season, after having the discipline of being able to do something like that for two whole years?

PK:  Definitely, it makes every day a thrill to be your own person and create your own destiny. It was a good experience and a lot of the way that I currently react to situations is based upon that experience.

TFE:  You were recruited as a QB, went on mission and came back as a DE? How hard was the transition?

PK:  The transition was pretty easy, I felt like I was athletic enough and big enough to fit the mold of a defensive end. Having played QB previously played a role in me feeling the position out and getting confident immediately. When you have a good feeling for the game and all the little things the QB is going to do, the better you are going to do.

TFE:  How much did the mission and the fact you are 23 already impact your decision to leave early for the Draft?

PK:  It did have an impact because I didn’t want to be a 25 year old college graduate just heading into the league. I felt it was important for me to be as young, vibrant and robust as I could be. That wasn’t the only factor, my family needed me to be there now, plus it is a lifelong dream of mine to be in the NFL so the opportunity was there. All those things added together made it feel like the right decision.

TFE:  What makes you such an impact player?

PK:  Just giving it my all. Being coachable is huge; you need to be able to respond to the coaches. And I was surrounded by great players. I’m a player that works hard and gives me my best effort.

TFE:  Being from the Mountain West Conference, do you feel that defensive players coming out of the conference are at a disadvantage because of the “high scoring conference” stereotype?

PK:  Obviously offensive players are always in the spotlight and get the credit. That’s what it is. Defensive players are just as valuable and you can see how much money guys are making in the NFL now, but it’s an offense driven game.

TFE:  What’s the first memory that comes to mind about your victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl?

PK:  I remember about halfway through the first quarter, I remember looking in all their eyes and I knew that game was over. You could see they didn’t want to be there and we got a good jump on them. It was a big game and we were ready and it was just such a great feeling to go out there and be superior like that. It was an awesome victory for us, the school, the conference, everyone really.

TFE:  Does the victory over Alabama give you even more confidence heading into the NFL draft?

PK:  Yeah definitely you get to put yourself into a big time situation and succeed; I think it helps a guy from a lesser known conference compared to the BCS schools. To prove it in front of the nation was an awesome thing.

TFE:  How hard is it to go from beating a team like Alabama in front of the entire nation, going undefeated, and then have nothing to show for it? Do you guys as players feel ripped off the way that it ends?

PK:  It’s hard to say. It was such a special thing; the trophies, the rings, everything you accomplished. So on one hand you feel like it was a dream season and nothing could top it. On the other hand, you get a chance to look at what happened through out the nation and you realize we were the best and deserve everything that we’ve earned. I don’t know. On one hand its great but on the other, we should be national champions.

TFE:  What do you nee to improve on the most?

PK:  The 40 is huge, that’s what everyone works towards so that is big for me. But I’m a guy who is probably going to do a lot of LB drills so just general agility.

TFE:  Any specific goals in mind with the Draft?

PK:  I have goals, but I can’t control how much teams like me. Obviously I believe I’m the best DE coming out, but my goal is to do what I can to do to impress the most people. No one has ever made me feel insecure about my skills.

TFE:  Any former Utes currently in the NFL helping you out?

PK:  Yeah, Eric Weddle more than anyone. I’ve spoken with Alex Smith. Weddle has been talking to me throughout the process.

TFE:  What NFL player do you compare yourself to?

PK:  I would like to be a sort of Jared Allen type with the amount of energy, but its hard to say. I want to be like a guy like that.

TFE:  What will be the first thing you buy after you get your first Pro paycheck?

PK:  My parent’s mortgage, that’s the biggest thing; I want to be able to help them out. I’d love to be able to help my family out financially.

• Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock Draft - 4 rounds
• Cox's 2009 NFL Mock Draft - 2 rounds
• Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft 
• Mock Draft Database