The Wisconsin Badgers football staff has been in close contact with a top 2024 recruit on their board, and now he will make his way through Madison this week.

Anelu Lafaele, a 2024 four-star recruit from the great state of Hawaii, has been on the radar of the Badgers since coach Luke Fickell took over the team last November. Lafaele is ranked as the second overall recruit in Hawaii, behind offensive lineman Preston Taumua. Lafaele is also ranked as the 19th edge rusher in the 2024 football recruiting class.

Wisconsin Badgers Football Eyeing A Certain State For Future Recruits

After landing players like Utah transfer Kamo’i Latu, Nick Herbig, and Trech Kekahuna, Hawaii has become a familiar state for the Badgers. The reasons behind the strong connection between the island and Wisconsin are unknown, but coach Fickell has been sure to continue the tradition. Since joining the Badgers, Fickell has embraced Hawaii by recruiting some of their best prospects.

Herbig and Kekahuna have both been the most vocal recruiters of fellow Hawaiians as of late. After landing Herbig as a four-star recruit in the class of 2020, the Badgers landed the transfer defensive back Kamo’i Latu from the Utah Utes. Kekahuna, the latest Hawaiian to join the Badgers, was originally an Arizona Wildcats verbal commitment. Following a conversation with coach Fickell, Kekahuna de-committed from the Wildcats a few days later. Shortly after the wide receiver announced his intentions to attend Wisconsin.

Now following the success of the other players coming from Hawaii, the Wisconsin Badgers football staff is eager to land another talented player from the state. Edge rusher Anelu Lafaele is one of the best players in the class at his position and already has received comparisons to fellow linebacker Nick Herbig. However, the edge rusher expects to create his own path as he continues to develop his game during the off-season.

Wisconsin Football Recruiting Profile: 2024 Four-Star Edge Rusher Anelu Lafaele

Coming in at 6-foot-3-inches, 225-pounds, Lafaele is a fast and powerful rusher with an eye for the quarterback. The edge rusher loves to bull-rush against the offense and blast his way into the backfield. Lafaele also has an incredible ability when it comes to bringing down the ball carrier. The talented defender knows where the play is going before the offense can do anything about it.

Lafaele not only attended the same high school as Badgers product Nick Herbig, but he also wrestled there. Coach Fickell, a former wrestler himself, has always been high on players with that background. Lafaele has amazing ties to Madison already, but what may stop the Badgers is the other interesting offers the defender has. Lafaele has been closely recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Hawaii, Washington, and Wisconsin thus far, with visits to each campus.

If the Wisconsin Badgers football staff is serious about landing Lafaele, they will need to impress the recruit during his upcoming visit.

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