PAUL KRUGER
No. 99
Linebacker/Defensive End – Rookie
6-4, 265
Utah
HS: Timpanogos (Orem, UT)
Born: February 15, 1986
Joined Ravens: Draft 2 (57th), 2009
Pro: Paul Kruger was selected in the 2nd round (57th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft…“He’s a tough guy, a tenacious guy,” Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta stated. “He’s got a great motor. I think he’s a guy that’s going to have a chance to play defensive end, possibly SAM backer, possibly rush backer. He’s good with his hands. We love tough football players on defense, and he fits the bill.”…Kruger was tabbed a ‘red star’ player by the personnel department, meaning every Ravens scout agreed he personifies the true characteristics of being a Raven…“Guys who get this distinction have a temperament and countenance we want – toughness, high character and intelligence, leadership and competitiveness,” DeCosta added.
College: A 2-year starter at DE, Kruger declared for the NFL Draft after his redshirt sophomore season…He finished his Utes career with 124 tackles (55 solo), 10.5 sacks (-74 yards), 3 FFs, 3 FRs and 2 INTs…Originally recruited to play QB, he switched to defense following a 2-year (2005-06) LDS Church mission in Kansas City, MO…When he returned to the gridiron, he quickly established himself as a standout D-lineman, earning several All-American honors during both his redshirt freshman and sophomore campaigns…Majored in sociology while attending Utah.
2008: As a sophomore, Kruger helped the Utes compile a 13-0 record that included a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama…Starting all 13 games on the season, he ranked 5th on the team with 61 tackles (31 solo) and also posted 16.5 TFL (2nd most in the Mountain West Conference)…Kruger also tallied a team-high 7.5 sacks (-32 yards), 2 FFs, 1 FR, 7 PD and 1 INT en route to earning honorable mention All-American honors by Sports Illustrated and College Football News…He was also an All-Mountain West Conference 1st-team selection…Kruger helped lead a Utes’ defense that ranked 11th in the nation against the run (99.2 ypg) and 11th-overall in total defense (289.2 ypg).
2007: Starting 11 of 13 games as a redshirt freshman, Kruger earned 2nd-team Freshman All-American honors by The Sporting News and Scout.com…He ranked 4th on the team with 63 tackles (24 solo), adding 3 sacks (-22 yards) and 7.5 TFL (-33 yards)…His 63 stops were the most among MWC freshmen linemen and the 2nd-best freshman total at any position…Posting 2 FRs and 1 FF, he also returned an INT 24 yards and produced 5 PD.
2005-06: Served on an LDS Church Mission in Kansas City, MO.
2004: Spent his freshman season with the Utes playing QB on the scout team.
