Interview: Future in the Box is Bright for Hard-Hitting 2023 Washington LB George Kruger
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The film and stats on Class of 2023 linebacker George Kruger help tell the story, but only part of it. During Bellevue High School’s 2020 football season played this spring, Kruger was that thumper in the box loading up on running backs and quarterbacks. Averaging 10 tackles a game with a couple of sacks and forced fumbles, their 6-0, 200-pound, defender was on the attack. But he was also a two-way player getting in the trenches on offense playing… wait for it – guard. If playing out of position in the offensive trenches during the Wolverines’ 3-1 season while putting forth a team-first mentality does not impress, the wood delivered on all 41 plays will via the game film.
With a breakthrough sophomore season produced and a pivotal offseason ongoing, Kruger stopped by the RNG Clubhouse to talk football.
Interview
George, at the beginning of the month the Wolverines wrapped the four-game 2020 season. The duration of the season aside, how did the team look on the field building towards the 2021 schedule this fall?
I think we were looking good outside the loss. We were looking solid going into it after all the work put in during the offseason, but our first game was rough. We were making mistakes in the first game, but for the most part we played solid besides some big plays we gave up. We looked good as a team this season.
Averaging 10 tackles a game, how do you feel you performed this spring?
I feel like I did pretty good. But I also feel like there is a ton of stuff to work on to become a better player like me strength and my block shedding. Growing up my hitting has always been a strong point; I knew that was there coming into the season. It is the other stuff that I need to fix. I did do better in pass coverage than I expected. I have to get better at block shedding and not letting people get into me.
Which defensive scheme were you guys executing?
We ran a simple defense with a Cover 2 or a Cover 3. For some teams we did a half and half scheme if they went 3-by-1. We went man on one side and zone on three receiver side. Our safety would roll down in Cover 3 or we’d be in the same coverage but the safety would stay back. We’d disguise what we were doing. This season we were in zone mainly and rarely in man.
Playing in the middle of the Wolverines’ defense, you bring the pain on contact as mentioned. Besides cleaning up anything that gets to the second level, what are your responsibilities within the attack?
It depended. In Cover 2 I had over the center alignment with inside gap responsibility. Our coaches did not want us to be gap locked but had us flowing to the ball. In that defense I held down the middle. In Cover 3, we split it up with the other inside linebacker. We’d line up in between the guard and tackle with one taking one side of the field. For the most part I was cleaning up anything in the middle.
From your game film, your play recognition appears to be next level and there are very little wasted steps in your movement on a given play. What do you feel are some of the other strengths to your overall game as a linebacker?
One thing I did not mention before, I have a really good nose for the ball. When I recognize a play, if I can get there, I can blow him up. That is a strong suit of mine. My tackling is a good one too. For the most part I am really good at wrapping up and with open-field tackling.
With the season completed, what are you working on with your skills this offseason?
I am working on speed and agility. That is one thing I did not focus on last offseason. Last offseason I focused on strength. I am still lifting but also doing speed and agility drills. I am lifting a ton, but I want to get way stronger. This season I want to throw people around and go through them with no hesitation.
What lifts are you doing in the weight room?
I am a big bench and squat guy while doing some normal power lifting. I am working on my hip mobility and strength to be more explosive. There are some workouts I do to get faster and some to loosen up my hips. I am doing a lot of front squat, leg press, and stuff like that – all the main lifts.
To increase your speed and agility, what are you doing besides lifting?
I got a speed trainer. We do a team thing; all of us do that. On Friday I work separately with my trainer. I am doing my speed workouts four times a week.
When the 2021 season gets going are you taking on any new roles?
I am assuming my role on defense will be the same. This year I played guard in a lot of games. I was the only one who knew how to play the position, so I started in half our games at guard. We have a pulling-quick guard attack in our offense. I am a good hitter; I can hit the ends and linebackers. But I am hoping that I don’t have to play that next year. If needed to for the team I will, but I want to focus and give my energy on defense. I was gassed playing both ways last season.
No doubt. Chances are you are giving up 50 to 100 pounds against a defensive lineman on any given play plus having to shed blocks on defense against the big guys going the other way. Being that two-way player is a unique experience. How has playing guard helped you as a linebacker?
It helps with the power of everything that I do on the field. You practice it, practice driving the big guys back. Our offense is to fake the defensive linemen out for easier blocks. Playing guard helps me get low and use my leverage. I am not driving a 300-pound defensive lineman back going toe-to-toe but if I get an angle or on the hip I can get him. Tracking them when you pull, if the end sees you coming he will juke you trying to make you miss. You have to break down and hit them, that is the same thing at linebacker – breaking down.
Camp season is underway. Are there any camps coming up you may attend?
I am hoping to attend as many as I can. Any exposure to college coaches I can get with camps, I will go do. I am open to anything.
George, I appreciate your time today. Wishing you success with your offseason workouts and with whichever camps you may attend until we talk again.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Bellevue High School; Wolverines practice