Tate Kruer is the @minguabeefjerky Protein-packed Performer of the Week @1776Bank @tate_kruer @840WHAS @EddieEviston

’25 TE/LB has the skills to contribute in multiple phases…

We have have been focusing this offseason on players with versatility. Some of these HS football stars are prime timers in other varsity sports. Some of these HS stars can contribute significantly to additional phases of a football game other than their primary positions. This guy, Tate Kruer, plays TE and LB like so many great Colonels before him. You don’t see guys contribute in multiple phases at high-profile, championship contending, 4A programs often. When it happens, it is worth remembering.

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, KPGFootball

Kruer’s Hudl Page

Park Hills, KY: Migua Beef Jerky uses Enviro-Pac CHU-2000 equipment to cook its meat to USDA required levels for both moist or dry operation. Mingua Beef Jerky wants you to become one of its many satisfied customers by sampling its quality hand sliced, all natural beef jerky. We know you’ll love it and come back for more, again and again.     

Ronnie Mingua began experimenting with making beef jerky back in the 1990s. He shared his efforts with neighbors and friends, soon realizing he had come up with something different and superior to all other beef jerkies on the market. From these humble beginnings, Mingua Beef Jerky got its start.  

Today, the Mingua Beef Jerky Company still prides itself on using its old-fashioned, all-natural recipes which offer outstanding products to customers across the nation. The recipes are a family tradition, passed down from generation to generation.     

Our recipes and our quality ingredients, hand-cut from solid pieces of beef, are never chopped or formed like other brands, making our products superior and one of a kind. That would make our products similar to this week’s Protein-packed Performer, Tate Kruer, ’25 TE/LB from Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Kentucky. 

We have been focusing on versatility this offseason. Some of the kids we have featured star in multiple sports. Some of the kids we have featured star at multiple positions and in more than one phase of football.

Now, the smaller the classification we encounter the more two-way guys we will see. However, while rare, it shouldn’t be accepted there aren’t two-way guys above the 3A classification.

There are two-phase contributors in 4A, 5A, and even 6A and we hope to highlight as many of them as possible this offseason. This guy here is a two-phase guy.

Kruer plays for a 4A team which was a powerhouse 5A team prior to being realigned down a step in the last reclassification. Covington Catholic has one of Kentucky’s all-time coaches in Eddie Eviston. Covington Catholic was 14-1 a year ago, losing in the championship game to a Boyle County team on one heck of a “heater.”

Tate Kruer had a fantastic junior season. Kruer is 6′,1″ and weighs in the neighborhood of 200-pounds. Kruer carries a 4.27-GPA and scored a 34 on his ACT.

Kruer’s value to the Colonels extended past the classroom. Kruer helped along the Colonel OL, as its “sixth member,” which paved the way for the offense to score 538-points while rushing for 2,748-yards and passing for 2,631-yards. That is as close to absolute offensive balance as you might ever see.

Kruer may have only caught three (3) passes, but two were for TDs and he racked up 71-receiving yards. His most pronounced contribution came on defense.

Kruer led the team in registered stops (112), FFs (3), and tied for the club lead in FRs (2). Kruer also picked a pass.

We are partial to the forced fumble stat around our office. Guys who hit hard enough to separate ball carriers from the ball, and earn for their teams additional possessions, are OUR type guys.

This guy forcing three (3) fumbles, in ’23, is significant at least to this magazine. It means he’s certainly hitting the heck out of someone.

Join us next week as we return to honor another weekly prize winner. Until then, pop some Mingua Beef Jerky in your mouth and savor the quality and flavor which sets it apart from the competition. Remember, our product is superior and one of a kind; just like Covington Catholic’s, Tate Kruer. 

This is Friday Night Fletch reporting for Kentucky Prep Gridiron and reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE. Don’t forget to SAVOR THE FLAVOR! 

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