Washington Huskies Land 4-Star WR Zerek Sidney Over SEC Powerhouses Oklahoma and USC

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Washington Huskies Land 4-Star WR Zerek Sidney Over SEC Powerhouses Oklahoma and USC

Jedd Fisch has a track record of building programs from the ground up. In his first year as the head coach of the Arizona Wildcats in 2021, the team finished with a record of 1-11. However, just two years later, he led them to a remarkable 10-3 season, making them one of the hottest teams in the country by the end of the year.

After that year, he chose to leave Arizona and take over as head coach of the Washington Huskies, following Kalen DeBoer’s departure to the Alabama Crimson Tide. In his first year, the Huskies finished with a record of 6-7. However, in his second year, they improved to 9-4. This success made him one of the most sought-after coaches in the market, but he decided to remain at Washington.

Now that he is settled in Washington, he has a clear task ahead: building the Huskies into a competitive team. That started with making sure to retain star quarterback Demond Williams. But it continues with recruiting, where he has successfully signed one of the top wide receivers in the country from the 2027 class.

Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) sets to pass.© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

According to Hayes Fawcett of On3, four-star wide receiver Zerek Sidney has committed to Washington, choosing them over prominent programs such as SEC powerhouse Oklahoma and the historically successful USC Trojans. Sidney, who hails from Arizona, is ranked among the top 35 players at his position following his junior season.

The commitment from Sidney represents another tangible step forward for Washington as it looks to establish long-term consistency. After early growing pains, the Huskies’ steady improvement on the field has translated into credibility on the recruiting trail, a critical piece for sustaining success in a rapidly changing college football landscape.

Sidney’s decision is especially notable given the competition. Beating out programs like Oklahoma and USC signals that Washington is no longer being viewed as a fallback option, but rather as a destination capable of developing elite offensive talent. For a program seeking playmakers to elevate its passing game, Sidney projects as a foundational piece.

With the Huskies coming off a 9-4 season, the focus now shifts to whether that momentum can carry into 2026. Washington will open next season at Husky Stadium, where expectations will be higher than they’ve been in years, and early signees like Sidney are already shaping what the next phase of the program could look like.

Related: Brent Venables, Oklahoma Predicted to Land 4-Star Safety in 2027 Recruiting Class

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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