SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s all-time sacks leader, Bradlee Anae, knows where he’ll next be trying to wreak havoc on opposing quarterbacks: Dallas.
The pass rusher was selected by the Cowboys with the 179th overall pick of the fifth round in the 2020 NFL draft Saturday, becoming the first Utes defensive end taken in the draft since 2015, when Nate Orchard was a second-round pick by Cleveland.
“The Cowboys just drafted a consensus All-American pass rusher with a compensatory pick at the end of the fifth round. Hard to argue with that,” Dallas Cowboys senior writer Rob Phillips said of the pick.
The cream always rises, wanted to thank the @dallascowboys for this opportunity! Blessed, now watch me work.
— Bradlee Anae (@BradleeAnae) April 25, 2020
Anae set the Utah program record with 30 sacks during his college career, leading the Utes in sacks three of his seasons in Salt Lake City. The 2019 consensus All-American was a three-year starter for Utah and finished last year with 13 sacks, while ending his Utes career with 135 tackles and six forced fumbles.
From the Twitterverse
Spoke with Bradlee Anae on the accomplishment of being Utah’s all-time sack leader. He humbly responded “I don’t take pride in the accomplishment itself [sacks]. I took more pride in the work it took to get there.”
— Brianna Dix (@DixBrianna) April 25, 2020
This DE is the real deal.
Welcome to the NFL & the #DallasCowboys, @bradleeanae 🙌
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 25, 2020
📺 Watch the #NFLDraft on NFL Network pic.twitter.com/LiFuNjUxe5
The Mayor of Sack Lake City is headed to Dallas!!!! @dallascowboys fans are going to love @BradleeAnae , his motor, and tenacity!! Congrats, Brad!! Go dominate in Dallas!!! #RSNB #GoUtes #ProUtes pic.twitter.com/E7vfAIGXrL
— Morgan Scalley (@SafetyPride) April 25, 2020
Cowboys just stole @BradleeAnae ...incredible character, who shall run for Mayor in Dallas as well- https://t.co/041OydYVba
— Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) April 25, 2020
.@BradleeAnae’s work ethic is one of a kind. Hear from those closest to him and find out more about his journey.
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 25, 2020
Read: https://t.co/4ncudlJH3x pic.twitter.com/hP59ICU6ae