Former Utah Utes DE Bradlee Anae Signed By San Francisco 49ers
Aug 5, 2025, 4:44 PM | Updated: Aug 6, 2025, 10:12 am
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 22: Defensive end Bradlee Anae #50 of the New York Jets celebrates after running a fumble back for a touchdown during the 2nd half of the preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium on August 22, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Former Utah defensive end Bradlee Anae is making his return to the NFL after being signed by the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday.
After a couple of seasons in the UFL with the Birmingham Stallions, Anae is back on the biggest stage for the first time since 2024.
Birmingham ➡️ San Francisco
DL Bradlee Anae officially signs with the @49ers #UFLtoNFL pic.twitter.com/L2J6SsUVlj
— United Football League (@TheUFL) August 4, 2025
Anae was signed to the Jets’ practice squad in December and the Falcons’ practice squad back in May 2024, but he hasn’t seen the NFL field since 2023 with the New York Jets.
He is joining one of the most elite defenses in the NFL as well as another Utah local in BYU alum Fred Warner.
Last year, the 49ers had some of the worst injury luck in the league and finished with a 6-11 record. Assuming he makes the final roster, Anae could provide some solid depth in the front seven.
Path To Week One
On Tuesday, August 26th, NFL teams will cut their rosters down to 53 players. That is just after the preseason and about two weeks before week one of the regular season.
49ers Preseason Schedule
- vs. Denver Broncos on Saturday, August 9
- @ Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday, August 16
- vs. Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, August 23
If Anae makes the final roster cut, he will be suited up on the sidelines for week one. The last time he was on an NFL roster to start the season was back in 2021 with the Cowboys.
Bradlee Anae with the sack 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nHjC6qqS0B
— Birmingham Stallions (@USFLStallions) April 12, 2025
About Bradlee Anae
Anae, a Laie, Hawaii native, attended the University of Utah from 2016 to 2019.
As a freshman, Anae played in six games and picked up two sacks. In his sophomore year, he played in 13 games with 10 starts, posting seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
In 2018, Anae led the Pac-12 with eight sacks and added 15.5 tackles for loss in 14 starts. He was named first-team All-Pac-12.
As a senior in 2019, Anae exploded for 13 sacks and 14 tackles for loss which led to being named an All-American and first-team All-Pac-12.
Anae broke the school record for most career sacks with 30 and won the Morris Trophy.
He went on to be selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 179 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. In the NFL, Anae had short stints with the Cowboys, New York Jets, and Atlanta Falcons.
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