Timing is important in recruitment, and Oregon is aiming to capitalize on recent coaching changes following Nick Saban’s retirement. Head coach Dan Lanning has been traveling all over the country this month, but he made a point of stopping in the Pacific Northwest to meet 2025 Spanaway (Wash.) Bethel linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, who hosted him on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker is ranked the No. 1 player in Washington according to the 247Sports Composite and committed to the in-state Huskies on January 8. But it was a short-lived commitment, as he chose to reopen his recruitment just four days later when Kalen DeBoer was announced as the new head coach at Alabama. Oregon was in his initial top five schools—a list that also included Washington, Miami, Florida State and Penn State. With him back on the market, the Ducks should be viewed as serious contenders in his recruitment. Aside from the in-state Huskies, Oregon has distance on their side and they’ve made a habit of stealing the top talent from Washington. Look at last cycle for instance. Yelm (Wash.) linebacker Brayden Platt, an Adidas All-American selection, committed to the Ducks over the Oklahoma Sooners in what was one of the top signings of the 2024 class. The combination of Dan Lanning and Tosh Lupoi, along with newly-named inside linebackers coach Brian Michalowksi has been a huge hit with recruits and the on-field results are speaking for themselves after a big step forward in 2023.
