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.