Former NFL draft pick Bradlee Anae not reporting to B.C. Lions training camp: sources

Photo courtesy: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

The B.C. Lions will place American defensive lineman Bradlee Anae on the suspended list, after the former NFL pass rusher failed to report to training camp on Sunday.

Per sources, the team has been aware for some time that Anae did not intend to return, despite efforts to keep him in the fold. Placing him on the suspended list allows the franchise to retain his CFL rights should he change his mind.

Anae originally signed with the Lions late last season and made an immediate impact in the final five regular season games, recording 10 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, two sacks, and one forced fumble. He added two tackles and a sack in two playoff appearances for B.C.

The 27-year-old was a fifth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2020 NFL Draft. The six-foot-four, 260-pound defender played 11 regular-season games over two seasons with the team, recording two tackles and one sack, earning approximately $2.2 million USD in the NFL. He subsequently spent time with the New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Birmingham Stallions, and San Francisco 49ers, though he didn’t see any regular-season action with those teams.

The native of Laie, Hawaii, played collegiately at the University of Utah where he made 135 total tackles, 41.5 tackles for loss, 30 sacks, six forced fumbles, four pass knockdowns, and two fumble recoveries over 47 games. Anae was a two-time All-Pac 12 selection and a consensus All-American in 2019.

The Lions remain deep along the defensive line with returning players Mathieu Betts, Sione Teuhema, Levi Bell, Jonah Tavai, and others. Former All-CFL defensive tackle Casey Sayles was one of their key offseason additions.

All CFL training camps opened on Sunday, May 10. B.C. plays the team’s first preseason game against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, May 23, and first regular-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, June 13.