The Wisconsin Badgers’ football staff has been in close contact with one of the top 2024 recruits on their board, and now he’ll make his way to Madison this week.
Anelu Lafaele, a 2024 four-star recruit from the great state of Hawaii, has been on the Badgers’ radar since coach Luke Fickell took over the team last November. Lafaele is ranked the second overall recruit in Hawaii, behind offensive lineman Preston Taumua. Lafaele is also ranked the 19th running back in the football drafting class of 2024.
Wisconsin Badgers Football seeks certain status 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 made sure to carry on the tradition. Since he joined the Badgers, Fickell has embraced Hawaii by recruiting some of its best prospects.
Herbig and Kekahuna have been the most vocal recruiters of their fellow Hawaiians of late. After landing Herbig as a four-star recruit in the class of 2020, the Badgers landed transferred defensive back Kamo’i Latu from the Utah Utes. Kekahuna, the last Hawaiian to join the Badgers, was originally a verbal commitment from the Arizona Wildcats. Following a conversation with Coach Fickell, Kekahuna parted ways with the Wildcats a few days later. Shortly thereafter, 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 running back Anelu Lafaele is one of the best players in his class at his position and has already drawn comparisons to linebacker Nick Herbig. However, the cutting-edge running back hopes to create his own path as he continues to develop his game during the offseason.
Wisconsin Football Recruiting Profile: Anelu Lafaele, Four-Star Running Back in 2024
Standing at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Lafaele is a fast, powerful running back with an eye for the quarterback. The forward running back loves to run like a bull against the offense and fight his way into the backfield. Lafaele also has incredible ability when it comes to taking down the ball carrier. The talented defender knows where the play is headed 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, himself a former wrestler, has always been interested in players with that experience. Lafaele already has incredible ties to Madison, but what may hold the Badgers back are the other interesting offers the defender has. Lafaele has been closely recruited by Arizona, the state of Arizona, Hawaii, Washington and Wisconsin thus far, with visits to each campus.
If the Wisconsin Badgers’ football staff is serious about hiring Lafaele, they’ll need to impress the recruit during his next visit.
