On July 1st, Washington received the commitment of the top recruit in the Pacific Northwest. Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, a linebacker, has committed to Washington and plans to stay in-state for his college career. The four-star linebacker, from Spanaway, Washington, chose the Huskies over Florida State and UCLA on Monday. Rainey-Sale’s pledge elevates him to the top prospect in Washington’s 2025 class, earning a 247Sports Composite rating of 0.9459. He is a top-150 player nationally, propelling the Husky class into the top 20 for 2025.
Zaydrius Rainey-Sale has committed to Washington.
Rainey-Sale announced his pledge on social media on July 1st, following his official college tour on June 21st. This is his second pledge this year. Rainey-Sale had previously committed to Washington with the former staff in early January. Later that month, his committment was called off due to a coaching change. The Washington native then attracted national interest, including offers from Texas, Oklahoma, UCLA, and Kalen DeBoer, who is now at Alabama. Rainey-Sale limited his selections down to three and announced his decision on Monday.
Rainey-Sale’s High School Production
Rainey-Sale plays outside linebacker for Bethel High School in Spanaway, Washington. Last season as a junior, he recorded 65 tackles, six tackles for loss, and four sacks. MaxPreps notes that Rainey-Sale played in six games, averaging over 10 tackles per game. The new Husky commit also contributed on offense, catching 13 passes for 230 yards and scoring four touchdowns.
Watching his high school highlights reveals a dynamic athlete. In the center of the defense, Rainey-Sale demonstrates speed off the edge and the ability to chase down ball-carriers from the opposite side. His quickness challenges blockers and gets him into the backfield swiftly. Rainey-Sale stays active in every play, showing lateral movement to tackle runners on the other side of the field. This agility also shows in pass coverage, where he keeps his eyes on the backfield and reacts quickly to receivers in his zone.
Bethel High School also uses Rainey-Sale on offense. He recorded 13 receptions last season, averaging nearly 18 yards per catch. Standing at 6’2” and 220 pounds, he is a difficult target to defend and tackle. With the ball, he is dangerous in open space, exemplified by his season-long reception of 54 yards. His athleticism helps him evade defenders and outrun the secondary.
Washington’s Recruiting Momentum
With Rainey-Sale now in its 2025 class, Washington now has the highest-ranked player from both its home state and its rival state, Oregon. The class has five four-star recruits, all of whom are among the top-350 players in the nation. The Huskies have risen to the 19th-ranked class in the nation, according to the 247Sports Composite, and are now the seventh-ranked class in the expanded Big Ten Conference.
