Scouting Journals for Zaydrius Rainey-Sale

Hyper fluid athlete with the size, speed, physicality, and coordination to be a true defensive eraser as an off-ball linebacker. Measured around 6-foot-2, 220 pounds with plus length before his senior season. Tests as a very good athlete in the combine setting. Lines up at linebacker and wide receiver on Friday nights. Finished his senior season with 98 tackles and three interceptions on defense, while catching 10 touchdown passes on offense. A natural working in space and is easily one of the top cover linebackers in the 2025 cycle. Shows the ability to stick with pass catchers in man coverage and uses his length and ball skills to pick off passes in zone coverage. Athleticism allows for great range as a run defender. A physical tackler who drives through ball carriers. Reads blocks and flows downhill quickly. Also shows the ability to rush off the edge. Didn’t play great competition in high school, so may have a pronounced adjustment to the college game. Showed considerable improvement as a senior. The youngest prospect in the 2025 On300. Should be a 2026 prospect from an age perspective. Won’t turn 18 years old until November of his true freshman season of college. Skills and improvement point to a high upside, that could be as the top linebacker prospect from the 2025 cycle.