4-star DE Samuel Anaele signs with Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats have officially landed a big-time pass-rusher, as four-star defensive end Samuel Anaele has signed with the Cats.

A native of Deerfield Beach (FL), Anaele is rated as a four-star prospect by 247 Sports. He is also rated as the 25th ranked defensive end for 2020 and 66th best prospect in the state of Florida. He is rated only behind Justin Rogers among the Wildcats 2020 class.

The four-star committed to Kentucky back on July 1st. He chose to come north to Lexington over Florida, Georgia, Miami (FL), Michigan, Oregon, Nebraska, Tennessee, and several others. For what it’s worth, UK is listing Anaele as an outside linebacker.

Anaele will likely redshirt in 2019, but once he gets the playing time, he could make an immediate impact with his length at 6-4. And he’ll still get to play in four games, so he could have a significant role for the Cats at various points next season.

At Kentucky, Anaele will look to join several current Wildcats as natives of the Sunshine state as Bryce Oliver, Clevan Thomas, Cedrick Dort, Josh Ali and Jordan Wright, among others, all come from Florida.

Here is his UK Athletics profile and highlights:

Four-star recruit by 247Sports Composite and Rivals rankings … Ranked the No. 96 overall player in the class by Rivals and the No. 5 weakside defensive end … The No. 16 player in talent-rich state of Florida according to Rivals … Selected to the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game … Has been timed at 4.9 in the 40-yard dash … Had 38 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a senior at McDougle Technical Institute Preparatory … Coached by Norman Richards … Born in Nigeria … Began athletic career on the basketball court and has only been playing football three years … Picked Kentucky over Miami, South Florida, Florida, Colorado and others … Named is pronounced Sam “ah-NEL-lee.”