4-star LB Zaydrius Rainey-Sale commits to Washington Huskies

Spanaway (Wash.) Bethel four-star linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale has recommitted to the Washington Huskies.

Rainey-Sale was a onetime member of the Huskies’ 2025 class but decommitted with the departure of former head coach Kalen DeBoer. Now, Rainey-Sale is back in with the Purple and Gold.

He chose Washington over schools like Florida State, Arizona State and UCLA.

Much of Rainey-Sale’s initial decision to commit to UW had to do with the coaching staff in Seattle at the time. However, the atmosphere and energy surrounding the program also played a part.

Rainey-Sale is the nation’s No. 135 overall prospect, No. 14 linebacker and No. 1 recruit from Washington in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

He ranks No. 126 nationally and No. 12 among linebackers in the 2025 On300.

Washington adds to top-25 class

Rainey-Sale now headlines Washington’s 2025 class alongside fellow blue-chippers Vander Ploog, Champ Taulealea, Raiden Vines-Bright and Jonathan Epperson.

Ploog, the No. 2 recruit in the class and On3 top-150 tight end, just pledged to UW on June 25.

“I’m someone who’s big on relationships,” Ploog told On3’s Chad Simmons earlier this month. “That’s always been my thing. I want to feel like I’m at home at a school. Also, I am looking at a school’s offense and the way that they see me developing and fitting in to the offensive scheme.”

The staff, led by not only Jedd Fisch but also tight ends coach Jordan Paopao, made him feel like a top priority. And he believes they can get him to the next level.

“I like the developmental lessons that I’ve seen from Coach Paopao,” he told Simmons. “He’s a phenomenal coach. He has coached a ton of dudes who have already played in the NFL. He’s a profound coach, so I really like the coaching there and the family culture that they create over there.”