The Oklahoma Sooners were in the mix, but it was Washington that came away with the win in the recruitment of four-star wide receiver Zerek Sidney - a surprising twist in a race that seemed to be leaning elsewhere.
Sidney, a top-50 receiver in the 2027 class according to the 247Sports Composite, made his commitment to the Huskies public on Thursday, choosing them over Oklahoma and his in-state option, Arizona State. USC and Notre Dame had also been in the picture but were cut from his top five earlier in the process.
What swung things in Washington’s favor? A late push.
Just two days before his announcement, the Huskies staff made a visit to Sidney in Arizona - a move that clearly resonated. Sidney had previously taken an unofficial visit to Washington back on September 27, but this final in-person touchpoint may have sealed the deal.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma hosted Sidney on September 6, the same weekend the Sooners knocked off Michigan in Norman. That visit came early in the process, and while OU stayed in his final three, it’s clear the Sooners weren’t pulling out all the stops down the stretch. Arizona State, located less than an hour from Sidney’s home, had the benefit of proximity and hosted him twice in the fall - on October 25 and again on November 28 - but couldn’t keep him home.
Sidney’s recruitment was always a bit under the radar when it came to Oklahoma’s priorities. The Sooners’ staff has been active on the trail, especially out west, but their focus appears to be centered on other targets - most notably 2027 four-star receiver Quentin Hale, who recently received a personal visit from Brent Venables in the Los Angeles area.
That context helps explain why Sidney’s decision doesn’t sting too much for the Sooners. OU already has two wideouts committed in the 2027 cycle: four-star Demare Dezeurn out of California and three-star Tra’Von Hall from Alabama. Both bring strong upside, and with Oklahoma still firmly in the hunt for Hale, the Sooners’ receiver room for 2027 remains in very good shape.
As for Sidney, there’s plenty of upside. He’s listed at 6-feet tall and is currently rated the No. 6 overall prospect in Arizona.
His junior season was cut short by injury - he played in just four games, finishing with 11 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown - but his sophomore campaign showed what he can do when healthy. That year, he hauled in 45 receptions for 591 yards and 11 touchdowns across 12 games, helping lead Desert Edge High School to a state title.
If he can stay healthy and put together a full senior season, don’t be surprised if his stock climbs even higher. Washington clearly sees the potential and made a timely move to land him. For Oklahoma, this isn’t a miss that derails their class - which still ranks among the top three in the country - but it’s a reminder that in recruiting, timing and effort matter just as much as early interest.