High school football recruitment season is in full swing, with prospective athletes finding increasingly inventive ways to reveal their college choices. Anelu Lafaele, a four-star edge rusher and Hawaii's No. 2 ranked player, recently made his decision known with a standout announcement video.
The Wisconsin Badgers logo on Dec. 27, 2022, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. (Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Lafaele, who had narrowed his options down to Wisconsin, Arizona State, Washington, and his home state's University of Hawaii, ultimately selected the Wisconsin Badgers as his future team for the 2024 season. His announcement video incorporated elements of his Hawaiian background to eliminate the other contenders.
Wisconsin Badgers players hold up their helmet for the kickoff of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Dec. 27, 2022, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. (Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
According to 247 Sports, Lafaele made an official visit to the Wisconsin campus on June 2nd and verbally committed while there. He expressed a strong connection with the university, stating that it felt like home from his initial visit and that he had developed positive relationships within the program.
This commitment marks a significant addition for the Badgers, who are entering their first full season under head coach Luke Fickell. Fickell previously coached at Cincinnati for six seasons, culminating in a historic College Football Playoff appearance in 2022 – a first for a Group of Five school.
Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell during the Guaranteed Rate Bowl game on Dec. 27, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona. (Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Wisconsin football legend Barry Alvarez praised Fickell's aggressive recruiting strategy and use of the transfer portal to address key roster needs, particularly at the quarterback position. The Badgers are looking to rebound from a 7-6 season in 2022, which led to the mid-season dismissal of former head coach Paul Chryst.
