First Austin Collie, now Paul Kruger and Sean Smith... who will Max Hall have left to throw to next year?

Best of luck Paul. May you be as successful in the NFL as you were at Utah, We'll miss you!!!!

this will be a true test, to see where the utah program is. We need to regroup and come back strong next year.

Paul, Thank you for all of the great memories. Once a Ute, always a Ute!

I hope you find your way to the top of the NFL just like you did in the NCAA, just don't forget that you still have a home at RES.

BEST OF LUCK!

You played us tough this year! All the best to you as you head to the NFL. I'm sure you will represent the Utes and Utah well.

Good luck to Kruger but normally the U players have no where near the success of Y players in the NFL especially in speed positions.

Paul, as a friend of your Dad- 30 years ago- it was fun to watch you this past year - Good luck in the Draft - We'll keep following you.

I'll refrain from the typical juvenile postings we usually see from the other side when a BYU player decides to turn pro and simple wish a neighbor, Paul, a very successful career in the NFL.

As an avid BYU fan, I will say it was fun watching you terrorize Alabama; not so much fun seeing you put the heat on Hall. You're one of the best defenders to play for Utah, ever.

Good luck at the next level.

Paul as a schoolmate of yours since elementary school I wish you all the luck in the world. You have the ability to compete at any level.

Your leadership and passion for the game will be missed, I wish you the best in the next level. Anyone that has seen you play knows you will be great. It will be fun to follow another Ute's career in the NFL.

Thanks for the memories Paul! I hope your best days are ahead of you.....tear it up in the NFL!

Good luck Paul, I hope this turns out to be a great decision.

It will be nice to see Kruger play at the next level of football. Now that Kruger has declared himself professional he ought to sign with BYU.

I see Utah in a world of hurt for the next three years. I see BYU dominating the U for the next three years. Can you say, "we can"? I see dead people. I see dead Utes.

If he's NFL material, he needed to do this because of his age. He'll be too old if he sticks around for two more years. But what is his NFL stock? What round?

Good luck Paul. As a BYU fan I was not looking forward to your continued improvement over the next two years. You were a great player and should do well at the next level. This is what so many wish they could do.

Drive, desire, determination!

Why do always start the DN this way? BYU do not talk that way. You are so predictable! Stop pretending to be a BYU fan.

As a BYU Fan I have to admit that was pretty funny!

It will be nice to see Kruger terrorize the NFL quarterbacks next year instead of Hall.

Best wishes, Paul. Make your teammates, family and friends proud.

Um, are you serious? Yeah, Utah doesn't ever churn out any "speed-position" All-pro running backs that own SuperBowl rings, too. Or receivers for that matter. Nope, probably a different Utah Utes... You should think before typing sometimes. Kruger - you'll be a beast in the NFL. The only reason I'm okay with letting you go is that I know we get to see your little brothers compete for the next few years on the Ute squad. Good luck at the next level, bud.

From another Cougar diehard, good luck at the next level! Looking forward to seeing you catch the Holy War (on the sidelines!) with Ute/Cougar alumni in the NFL.

This guy was a beast at Utah, and as long as he stays away from knife fights, he should make a good living in the NFL for years to come. Good luck to you and I'm glad you're gone.

Someone posted that Y players generally have more success in the NFL than U players. Not true. All-time, the schools are about even in pro-bowl selections (24 for Utah, 21 for BYU), even in rookie of the year awards (1 each). Utah had 2 pro bowlers this year. Byu had none. Each school has 1 hall of famer. Byu has had 1 MVP (0 for Utah). They each currently have about the same number of total players in the NFL. It's really pretty even when you look.

The best part about these comments is the sarcasm directed toward BYU. I love it man! I'm from USC but love seeing all the BYU fans and how frustrated they get with these. It's funny how they hate when Utah fans comment on what they say are "OUR" articles! ha.

Keep it up Utes. It would be sweet to play in another bowl game soon. We need revenge after you beat us twice in the last 10 years in bowls.

Is he big enough? He doesn't look like it. He did great at the university level, but, can he really play d-line in the pros? Will he have to drop back to linebacker? Is he fast enough there for the pros?

Good luck, regardless. Should be interesting. Glad the Cougs don't have to worry about him.

Great year Paul!! I wish you, Sean, and Austin the best!! It is fun to see former Utes, Cougars, and Aggies at the next level, It certainly makes the pro game more fun. I hope to see a great deal of you three next year!!

So the fabulous Alabama player Andre Smith sat out of the Sugar Bowl, because he had nothing to gain? Hog Wash!

....Fact is Smith did what America expected him to do....was Smith the only player with something to lose by playing in the Sugar Bowl?

If we go back, what if Paul Krueger had decided to sit out of the Sugar Bowl too using the "Andre Smith" argument?

....Why didn't Kruger sit out?

In a word...integrity! Krueger loves the game and has learned that he is not bigger than the game! He loves his coaches and teammates and knows that if he didn't play...then his team is not a team anymore.....This kid is an All American everywhere he goes, not just on the football field!

Congrats Krueger! My only regret is that you didn't get to play side by side with your brothers.....would have been something to have witnessed three Kruegers on the front line for the Utes!

Best of luck to a very fun player to watch. We loved having you on our side and will greatly enjoy watching you achieve success at the next level. Go Utes!

Kruger, Thanks for giving us something to cheer about this past year! I know where ever you end up you will be a great asset to that team. We will truly miss you. But it's always fun to follow another Ute player in the NFL. Best of luck!

Best of luck in the NFL. As a former Alambamian and Auburn fan and current north Orem resident, I especially loved watching Kruger tear Alabama apart. I am happy Kruger won't be lining up against BYU next year. Who knows Kruger and Collie might even be on the same team (though not picked in the same round).

GO GET'em PAUL...TAKE NO PRISONERS!!!
GO UTES!!!

Are you serious?!?! This post must have come from a Utes fan trying to stir things up.

The U and Y have about the same number of players in the NFL and most of the Y players are linemen.

I can't think of any Y players currently in the NFL that are "speed" players.

Let's not get side tracked. This is about a terrific person and a fantastic football player moving on to the NFL.

GOOD LUCK PAUL!

All of my fondest hopes and best wishes go out to you. Will you be missed ? , by all means. This was a tough decision and I will be looking for you in the stat sheets in the upcoming NFL season.
Thanks for the memories !

The yewts are losing a ton of talent this off season. Don't expect to be repeat MWC champs next year. You will probably drop to 3rd behind the eventual winner...BYU or TCU.

Hey it was good while it lasted though eh?

Bad decision. The NFL is much harder than college. Nearly every single player should play his full 4 years. Even many heisman trophy winners don't do well in the NFL. Look at Leinart. As only a sophomore, it would be wise to at least last one more year.

Whew, what a relief. Kruger killed us so I'm glad to see him go. He should be able to make it in the NFL. If he played at tht Y I would have loved the guy. I really do wish anyone to come out of our state to do well in the pros, except Alez Smith. Good luck Kruger!

*Alex Smith

I was hoping you would enter the draft right now. Way to capitalize on your great season.

Hey Krueger,
It's great that you've decided to go pro. Good luck to you. It was great knowing you in the mission field, but just remember to hold on to your beliefs, as it looks like you're doing. You were a great leader to look up to on the mission, and I hope you'll work just as hard and be a great example and leader to those players wherever you end up.

Good luck to Kruger in the NFL! He seems like a good kid and I hope he does well in his career. As a Cougar fan, I am sure glad to see him leave!

To answer a previous post, Kruger is expected to go somewhere in the late 1st round to early second round. Secondly, to the poster above who blasted Andre Smith, he did not choose to sit out the Sugar Bowl. He was forced to as punishment for committing an infraction off the field. not defending what he did, I'm just saying that the guy is a competitor and I cannot imagine any part of him saying: ya, I'll do this because it will mean I don't have to play in the Sugar bowl. I'm sure it was killing the guy, as it would anybody who plays at that level, not to be out there. I'm not necessarily an Andre Smith fan (or non-fan) but I think you should be fair when talking about people.
Best of luck to Kruger. We will miss him!!

Sad to see him go, but the timing is probably right for him, good luck. Look to see Shelby go back to his natural position at the end and be solid.

As usual, Ute trolls can't help but imitate BYU fans and inevitably, somebody falls for it.

I'd had I hopes that a team from Utah would lead the MWC back to the BSC, or if not that rank well next season enhancing the MWC stature as a league.

With Collie and now Kruger, my hope dims. Of course this offers opportunities to some player that I hope steps up....

I was on the Utah field with my son who is being recruited by Utah. I am 6'4 260 pounds, let me just say that Paul Krueguer came out of the tunnel and looked at me as he ran past, with his helmet and uniform on I was amazed at the size of this kid. I was looking at a GIANT (lets hope not a NY Giant) I think he looks good in red (Cardinals???). Best of Luck Paul, you have my respect.

alright dude, you kidding me? ok lets talk, yeah we are losing kruger, but look at all the talent we are getting back and bringing in! our defence will be just as good as this years! and before you say we will take third behind byu, which is a joke, look at whats going on there, you guys are going to have the same terrible defense, and you lost your o-line, plus your only good ball player in collie, byu will struggle next year and the years to come because bronco isnt recruting talented fast ballplayers, its unfortunate, but look at it seriously, dont be a "holier then thou" byu fan, be a sports fan and realize when your making a fool of yourself when you talk

Best of luck to Paul in the NFL. He actually reminds me of a former Cougar now playing d-line in the pros - Brett Keisel. Both are a bit smallish (weight) but fast and athletic. I think he will perform very well in pre-draft workouts.

Not being a homer but this gives BYU even a better chance next season. Assuming by some miracle the Cougs get past OU and FSU, playing Utah and TCU at home could be just enough to take those games. Kruger was the heart of the Utes strength next season. The Utes are rebuilding on offense (although they do return their o-line) and their defense was going to be their strength. TCU loses almost all of their defense. If BYU can gell along the new o-line and the young receivers step up BYU just might ride that home schedule to a MWC championship. But even if they do they are going to need BSU to slip up as well.

Good luck to him. Another year at the U would have helped him moved higher in the draft. With all the money that is thrown around the NFL, you can't blame him for wanting to enter the draft.

We will win the MWC in football next year.

Delude much? Just to give you something more to fear next year; Krugers spot will most likely be taken over next year by a JC transfer that committed to Utah recently by the name of James Aiono. (hope I spelled it right) Who is listed on Scout.com as a 5 star recruit, is 6'3", 275 lbs. and runs a 4.9 40, which for a lineman is extremely fast. And that's 5 stars as in the number of stars that no BYU recruits are rated at. The guy is a quarterbacks' nightmare. Beyond that, Utah recieved a committment from Heimuli, a 6'3" 305 monster at DT. You would probably be a little more familiar with him since BYU was trying so hard to get the guy. So while we will miss Kruger as a player and a positive role model, the Utes defense will be better than ever.