Timing can play a big role in recruiting, and Oregon is looking to capitalize on recent coaching moves that have come as a result of Nick Saban's retirement.
Head coach Dan Lanning has been traveling all over the country this month, but he made it a priority to make a stop in the Pacific Northwest to see 2025 Spanaway (Wash.) Bethel linebacker Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, who hosted the head coach on Wednedsay.
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.
Oregon also signed a trio of talented linebackers in the 2024 cycle including Platt, along with Kamar Mothudi and Dylan Williams, which further displays their recruiting momentum at the position.
Oregon has become a top destination for elite defensive talent on the West Coast under Lanning, and that's a trend that will almost surely continue.
"If you want to play defense out West, you come to Oregon. It's pretty simple," Williams said after making his commitment July.
The Ducks have yet to land their first defensive player in the 2025 class, but you can bet that Rainey-Sale is going to be a big name on their board moving forward and they'll work to get him on campus for a visit in Eugene.
Zaydrius Rainey-Sale Highlights
More must-reads: