3-star EDGE Anelu Lafaele commits to Wisconsin: 'It just felt like home from there'

After Wisconsin’s previous coaching staff offered Anelu Lafaele, he was immediately high on Wisconsin. With that staff’s departure, new head coach Luke Fickell wasted no time in building a new relationship with one of the Badgers’ top targets. 

Now, Lafaele, a three-star EDGE out of Honolulu, is ready to announce his commitment to the Wisconsin Badgers. 

After Fickell was hired by Wisconsin following a successful stint at Cincinnati, he jumped right on the recruiting trail. Maintaining or even rebuilding relationships with recruits is key for any new staff, and Fickell saw to that — at least in Lafaele’s case.

“The first time I got offered from Wisconsin, it was a long time ago,” Lafaele said. “It was one of my first offers. It was a long process with them, we talked a lot. A lot from the old staff, they told me that they really wanted me. As soon as they told me that, they told me that I was a top priority for them, they became my No. 1 on the list. I really wanted to go there. Being able to just build a relationship with all the coaches from Coach (Bobby) April to all the coaches, and the head coach. I took an unofficial with them for a game visit when they played against Maryland, that was great. That’s when I felt like I wanted to go there. 

“But then after the season, the coaches left. So it kind of fell off from there. That’s when other schools started to make a push. Then Coach Fickell came on and he hit me up. . . He told me ‘Man, I just rewatched your film. Saw everything I needed to see and just wanted to let you know that we’re coming for you. We’re going to make you a top priority for this class.’ That’s what really stuck out to me and that’s what kept me on board with Wisconsin.”

Coaching transition was “smooth” for Lafaele

The transition between coaching staffs was not a difficult one for Lafaele. He was familiar with Fickell’s style at Cincinnati, and the new staff made a serious effort to stay in touch with the 6-foot-2, 225-pound EDGE.

“It was pretty easy. I was watching Coach Fickell at Cincinnati, so I know how he runs things. It was pretty smooth, pretty easy. . .

“. . .Coach (Max Stienecker), the recruiting coordinator there, did a great job with me. He was texting me every day, calling me every day, FaceTimeing me every day. Coach (Matt) Mitchell, the outside linebacker coach there, he was on me since the day he got in the office. We made a quick connection.”

Lafaele’s impression of Fickell was positive as well. He spoke of FIckell’s personality on and off the field, and the expectations he has of what Fickell can do for the Wisconsin program.

“He’s just a great person off the field. But when we step on the field, that’s when he can kick into a different gear,” Lafaele said. “He can talk some football, talk about how his life is going, how he is doing, how I am doing. And then he can step on the field and just lock it in and get to work.

“I think he can bring this team to the national championship.”

For Lafaele, it was either Wisconsin or staying home at Hawai’i. Madison has hosted great Hawaiian players over the years — currently, starting safety Kamo’i Latu and formerly, Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick Nick Herbig. Lafaele said it is special to continue that pipeline, and helped in making a difficult decision to leave home.

He made that decision on his official visit. Lafaele made that official visit at the start of June after visiting Arizona State and before visiting Hawai’i. 

“The second day of my official visit was kind of the day,” Lafaele said about when he made his decision. “Just talking to the coaches and sitting in the meetings. It just felt like home from there.”