Yahoo Sports ‘I can build my legacy here.’ Bethel’s Rainey-Sale, state’s No. 1 recruit, signs with UW
Zaydrius Rainey-Sale verbally committed twice to the Washington Huskies during his football recruitment. On the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period on Wednesday, Rainey-Sale made his third and final commitment to Washington in front of friends, family and teammates at Bethel High School in Spanaway, signing his financial aid agreement and joining the Huskies’ 2025 class.
Rainey-Sale, considered a four-star recruit and the state’s No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class by 247sports.com, initially committed to Kalen DeBoer’s Huskies, but decommitted when DeBoer bolted for Alabama. But the talented linebacker reaffirmed his commitment to Jedd Fisch’s staff last July, then signed on Wednesday, ending the roller-coaster ride.
“It was a lot, I’m not gonna lie,” Rainey-Sale told The News Tribune about the process on Wednesday at the school’s library. “I didn’t expect to end up at Washington, to be honest, but God works in mysterious ways.”
Two things worked in Fisch’s favor to secure the coveted Rainey-Sale: the proximity to home and the opportunity to compete for immediate playing time.
“That’s a very big deal for me in the future, having film early as a freshman,” Rainey-Sale said. “Just to start building a legacy young. … I feel like I can build my legacy here, close to home, close to family.”
He also liked how Washington uses its linebackers from a schematic standpoint.
“I feel like that was the best opportunity for me to strive as a player,” he said. “The way they use their players, versatility. I think I will fit well in their program.”
Rainey-Sale was one of the state’s most productive linebackers during the 2024 high school season. He led the 4A South Puget Sound League in tackles (98 total, 87 in league play) and had four defensive scores: three pick-six interceptions and a scoop-and-score fumble recovery. He also had 10 touchdowns on offense at wide receiver.
He was named the 4A SPSL South’s MVP this fall and also carries a 3.7 grade point average in school. In Rainey-Sale, the Huskies are getting a fast, hard-hitting, sideline-to-sideline linebacker who excels in diagnosing plays from film study.
“He’s so damn fast,” Graham-Kapowsin High School coach Jeff Logan told The News Tribune after his Eagles escaped with a win against Bethel, their district rival, in October. “You can’t get away from him. You can clearly see why he was so highly coveted as a recruit out of high school at linebacker. He just does some incredibly special things, his first step is fast and he makes ground on everybody.”
SOUTH SOUND PLAYERS SIGNING
A few other locals are joining Rainey-Sale on Montlake next season. Spanaway Lake three-star corner D’Aryhian Clemons and Auburn Riverside three-star linebacker Jonathan Epperson both signed with UW on Wednesday. Kennedy Catholic offensive lineman Lowen Colman-Brusa also signed with Washington.
Tumwater defensive lineman Malijah Tucker is heading east of the mountains, inking his commitment to WSU on Wednesday.
Graham-Kapowsin tight end Noah Flores intends to sign with UCLA on Thursday morning.
Sumner tight end Carter Cocke signed with Montana State. He’ll be joined by Curtis High School two-way standouts Parker Mady (WR/DB) and Xavier Ahrens (WR/OLB).
Yelm defensive end Bol Bol and offensive lineman Jacob Tracy signed with Boise State. Auburn edge rusher Lijah Petelo signed with Eastern Washington.
