Bradlee Anae Bio
Bradlee Joseph Ioane Anae is an American professional football linebacker and defensive lineman currently playing for the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL). Born on October 17, 1998, in Laie, Hawaii, Anae emerged as one of the most dominant defensive players in University of Utah history before entering the NFL. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and has since built a journeyman career spanning multiple NFL franchises and now the CFL. Anae’s accomplishments include winning the Morris Trophy, earning consensus All-American honors, and setting the Utah career sack record with 30 sacks.
Early Life and Background
Anae grew up in Laie, Hawaii, and attended Kahuku High & Intermediate School, where he was a multi-sport athlete competing on the basketball, football, and track teams. As a senior, he helped lead his school to a perfect 13-0 record and a Division 1 state championship. His outstanding performance earned him All-state honors and second-team All-USA Hawaii recognition. Anae is of Samoan descent, a heritage that has contributed to his physical playing style and family tradition of football excellence.
Rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school, Anae received scholarship offers from several major college programs including Vanderbilt and Brigham Young University. He ultimately chose to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Utah, following in the footsteps of his older sister Adora, who was a volleyball scholar athlete at the school.
Path to College Football
Anae enrolled at the University of Utah in 2016 and immediately began his college football career as a true freshman. He appeared in six games as a defensive end backup, recording four tackles and two sacks during his inaugural season. The experience gained as a freshman provided him with valuable exposure to collegiate competition and laid the foundation for his future development.
During his sophomore year, Anae made a significant leap in production. He started nine games at right defensive end and one at defensive tackle, accumulating 39 total tackles, three forced fumbles, a team-leading 7.0 sacks, and 10.0 tackles for loss. This breakthrough season announced his arrival as a formidable pass rusher in the Pac-12 Conference.
Bradlee Anae Career
Utah Years (2016–2019)
Anae truly established himself as an elite defender during his junior and senior seasons. As a junior in 2018, he started all 14 games and led the Pac-12 Conference with 8.0 sacks while finishing third in the conference with 15.5 tackles for loss. He accumulated 51 total tackles, broke up three passes, and forced two fumbles, earning first-team All-Pac-12 recognition for his efforts. Although he considered entering the 2019 NFL Draft, he chose to return for his senior season to further develop his skills.
His senior season proved to be his most impactful. Starting all 14 games at left defensive end, Anae was part of a dominant Utah defense that produced six NFL Draft selections. He recorded 41 tackles, 13.0 sacks, and 14.0 tackles for loss while forcing one fumble. Most notably, he broke the Utah career sack record during the 2019 Alamo Bowl against the University of Texas, finishing his collegiate career with 30 sacks and 210 sack yards—both school records. For his exceptional performance, Anae received the Morris Trophy as the best defensive lineman in the Pac-12, earned consensus All-American honors, and was named a finalist for the Ted Hendricks Award. He also excelled at the 2020 Senior Bowl, where he recorded three sacks and earned defensive MVP honors.
Dallas Cowboys (2020–2021)
Anae was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round with the 179th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. His draft stock reportedly dropped due to concerns about his testing performance at the NFL Scouting Combine. As a rookie, he appeared in the first six games but saw limited defensive opportunities. After Randy Gregory returned from suspension, Anae was declared inactive for nine of the Cowboys’ final ten contests. Media reports attributed his lack of playing time to the team’s depth at defensive end and his struggles against the run. He primarily contributed on special teams and recorded one tackle during his rookie season.
In 2021, Anae was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on September 24 before being activated six days later. However, his tenure with Dallas ended abruptly when he was waived on November 2, a day after committing a defensive offsides penalty on fourth-and-five against the Minnesota Vikings that extended the opponent’s drive. He was re-signed to the practice squad shortly afterward and appeared in four games as a backup, finishing with two tackles.
New York Jets (2022–2024)
Anae joined the New York Jets in January 2022 by signing a reserve/future contract. He was waived during final roster cuts in August 2022 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster in January 2023 for the season finale against the Miami Dolphins to provide defensive depth. Returning to the Jets in 2023, Anae competed for a roster spot but suffered a season-ending injury when he was placed on injured reserve in May. He became an unrestricted free agent at the end of that season. He returned to the Jets in December 2024 by signing to their practice squad, though he was not signed to a reserve/future contract at season’s end.
Atlanta Falcons (2024)
In May 2024, Anae signed with the Atlanta Falcons, joining their defensive line rotation. He competed for a roster spot during training camp but was waived in late August 2024 before the regular season began.
Birmingham Stallions (2025)
Transitioning to the United Football League, Anae signed with the Birmingham Stallions in November 2024. He was re-signed by the Stallions in January 2025, continuing his tenure with the spring professional football league team.
San Francisco 49ers (2025)
Anae signed with the San Francisco 49ers in August 2025, adding defensive line depth to the NFL roster. He was placed on injured reserve shortly after joining the team and was subsequently released.
BC Lions Era (2025–Present)
In September 2025, Anae signed as a defensive lineman with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League. He joined the active roster after a brief stint on the one-game injured list. Anae brings his collegiate and NFL experience to the CFL, where he continues his professional football career as a defensive end and linebacker.
Playing Style and Strengths
Anae is primarily known as a pass rusher with a relentless motor and strong hands that allow him to shed blockers effectively. His collegiate career demonstrated exceptional production with 30 career sacks, showcasing his ability to collapse the pocket and pressure quarterbacks. His technique, developed through years of high-level Pac-12 competition and postseason honors, enables him to be effective both as an interior rusher and on the edge.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Throughout his career, Anae has accumulated numerous accolades including being the Utah career sack record holder, Pac-12 leading sacker in 2018, Morris Trophy winner, consensus All-American, and two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection. His MVP performance at the 2020 Senior Bowl further solidified his reputation as a disruptive defensive force capable of making an immediate impact at the next level.
Bradlee Anae Career Wins
Anae’s career includes significant accomplishments at both the collegiate and professional levels, with his most notable achievements coming during his four years at the University of Utah.
College Highlights
At Utah, Anae appeared in 47 games with 38 starts and accumulated 30 career sacks, breaking the school record. He also set records with 210 sack yards and 245 tackle for loss yards while forcing six career fumbles. His senior season featured 13.0 sacks, and his junior year saw him lead the Pac-12 with 8.0 sacks. The highlight of his collegiate career came in the 2019 Alamo Bowl when he broke Utah’s all-time sack record. His trophy case includes the 2019 Morris Trophy, consensus All-American honors, and two first-team All-Pac-12 selections.
Professional Accolades
In the NFL, Anae appeared in limited games with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, and San Francisco 49ers before moving to the CFL with the BC Lions. While his professional numbers remain modest, his experience at the highest levels of American football and his continued roster spots demonstrate his value as a rotational defensive player.
Bradlee Anae Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Anae comes from an accomplished football family with deep roots in the sport. His father, Brad Anae, played college football at Brigham Young University, earning honorable mention All-American honors in 1980 and third-team All-America recognition in 1981. The elder Anae also spent three seasons playing in the United States Football League. His football legacy extends further through his uncles Matt Anae and Robert Anae, both of whom played at BYU, with Robert currently serving as the offensive coordinator at North Carolina State University. This family tradition of football excellence has clearly influenced Bradlee’s development and career path.
Personal Life
Anae is of Samoan descent, a heritage often associated with physicality and success in football. He has maintained connections to his Hawaiian roots throughout his professional career. His older sister Adora attended the University of Utah as a volleyball scholar athlete before Bradlee enrolled there, demonstrating the family’s commitment to collegiate athletics.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition for Anae as he navigated between multiple professional leagues. He began the year with the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL, contributing to their defensive line following his late 2024 signing. The experience in the spring league provided him with valuable game reps and the opportunity to showcase his pass-rushing abilities against professional competition.
Anae later signed with the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL season, seeking to reestablish himself in the league. Despite the brief tenure ending due to injury, his ability to earn roster spots demonstrates continued interest from NFL teams in his skill set. His season concluded with a move to the BC Lions of the CFL, representing a new chapter in his professional career north of the border.
With the BC Lions, Anae provides defensive line depth and experience to a Canadian Football League franchise. His transition to the CFL offers him an opportunity to develop his craft in a different football environment while potentially attracting attention from NFL scouts with strong performances north of the border.