BeaversEdge Top 25 For 2025: No. 15 OLB Zakaih Saez
In the months leading up to the start of fall camp, BeaversEdge.com will be counting down the Top 25 Oregon State football players on the 2025 roster. Want to give your two cents on the rankings? Subscribe to BeaversEdge.com to join The Dam Board and weigh in on the conversation. We continue with outside linebacker Zakaih Saez, who checks in at No. 15.
Zakaih Saez
Outside Linebacker
Bio
No. 10
6-foot-4, 242-pounds
Rs-Sophomore
Lake Worth, Fla.
Saint Thomas Aquinas HS
2024 (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN)
• Played in nine games
• Tallied 24 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, an interception, two quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery
• Intercepted a pass off a deflection against Purdue, running it 20 yards for a touchdown. Added three tackles and a 1-yard tackle for loss against the Boilermakers
• Posted a season-best six tackles in the double overtime win over Colorado State. Also recovered a fumble versus the Rams
• Finished with half a sack and four tackles in the season opener against Idaho State
• Later had half a sack and three tackles at Air Force
2023 (FRESHMAN)
• Did not play. Redshirted
SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL
• Rated three stars by Rivals
• Letterwinner for head coach Roger Harriott
• Worked with position coach and NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor as well as 13-year NFL veteran and Pro Bowler Andre Carter
• Earned first-team all-league honors during his career
• Led Saint Thomas Aquinas to a 14-0 record and state title his senior season
• Totaled 58 tackles his senior season, picking up 12 sacks
• Guided Saint Thomas Aquinas to a 14-1 record and state title as a junior
• Collected 32 tackles as a junior. Finished with an interception and a forced fumble
• Also lettered in basketball at shooting guard and small forward
Saez 2024 Recap
After redshirting and not seeing the field during his true-freshman campaign in 23, Saez broke into the rotation during his redshirt-freshman campaign. The Beavers had a sizable need at outside linebacker, and Saez was able to take advantage of the opportunity, playing in nine games and starting five. He tallied 24 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, an interception, two quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery. Saez’s signature moment came in the Purdue game, when he was at the right place at the right time, intercepting a pass that went off a player’s shoe, and taking it back for a score.
Saez 2025 Outlook
Coming off the 2024 campaign, Saez will be looking to build further and take the next step as an EDGE rusher. The Beavers improved their depth and overall talent at the position, but Saez should play a key role in the efforts to get to the passer. Between Nikko Taylor, Olu Omotosho, and Saez, the Beavers have an effective 1-2-3 punch at the position, and that’s not including the other guys in the room, who are capable as well.
With how quickly Saez made an impact in his career, I’m very excited to see what he can do in 2025 for an encore. He should be put in even better positions for success with Trent Bray leading an aggressive defensive unit, and he still has years to develop and refine his game. Look for Saez to be a key piece of the Beavers’ pass-rushing efforts in 2025…
