Badgers secure commitment from Hawaii edge rusher for 2024

MADISON – Luke Fickell and his assistants hope they have added a key piece for Wisconsin’s defense in 2024 and beyond.

Hawaii edge rusher Anelu Lafaele on Tuesday announced he has committed to UW for the 2024 class.

A 6-foot-3, 225-pound prospect from Honolulu, Lafaele reportedly held nearly two dozen offers.

"Excited to see coach Fickell come from Cincinnati, knowing that he is a winner and wants to get work done," Lafaele said after announcing his choice on 247Sports. "I just want to go there and compete for national championships."

Lafaele chose UW over Hawaii, Washington and Arizona State.

Outside linebackers coach Matt Mitchell was the primary recruiter for UW. Former UW defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield was the primary recruiter for Washington.

UW has 18 known commitments for the 2024 class.

Lafaele follows the path taken by Nick Herbig, who started at outside linebacker for UW for three seasons before entering the 2023 NFL draft.

Herbig, from Kauai, Hawaii, started all 31 games at UW. His junior season was his best, as he recorded 11 sacks, 15 1/2 tackles for loss and 47 total tackles. Herbig was named a consensus first-team, all-Big Ten pick.

“I’d say I play exactly like him,” Lafaele said. “He is one of my biggest role models in life, watching film almost every night, trying to mirror him.

“To see him go to Wisconsin and put down the foundation for me…I can go there and write my own story.”

Lafaele visited UW in November and again last month. He garnered offers from Notre Dame, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Utah, California, Nebraska and others before trimming his list to seven in April and then to four.

UW made every cut and eventually got the player it coveted.