Zaydrius Rainey-Sale commits to Washington Huskies football, predicts UW will beat Michigan
As if announcing you are firmly committed to Washington Huskies football as the top in-state recruit in 2025 wasn't earth-moving enough - four-star Bethel High School linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale also gave the purple-and-gold faithful something else to cheer Monday morning.
His CFP National Championship Game prediction for later that night: Huskies, 35-32 over Michigan.
"That was the whole point (of announcing Monday)," Rainey-Sale said. "Me and my mom had it all set up this way, doing this before the game - before everything happens.
"Now everyone in the city will know who I am. We are off to the races."
As UW fans wait for the big game, they can certainly celebrate this much-needed recruiting victory.
In a year, the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder went from unheralded prospect to quick riser in the recruiting circles - primarily based off a strong summer-camp showing regionally and nationally as a backfield-rushing menace who also is athletic enough to drop back in coverage.
Where did he learn his upgraded-skill bag of tricks?
His new mentor - ex-Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright - whom he started working out with last summer.
"He's taught me a lot," Rainey-Sale said. "He's taught me the ins and outs of the game and how everything happens, and when it happens."
Last month, Rainey-Sale narrowed his recruiting list to five finalists - Florida State, Miami, Oregon, Penn State and Washington.
For a long time, Rainey-Sale thought he would be giving the nod to the Seminoles. But after sitting down with his parents to list the pros and cons between FSU and UW, the Huskies became the winner.
"UW had more to offer," Rainey-Sale said.
The last time the Huskies signed the top in-state recruit was 2018 when defensive back Kyler Gordon came out of Archbishop Murphy, according to 247Sports.com. He is now in the NFL with the Chicago Bears.
