​It’s no secret that the Washington Huskies boast one of the Big Ten’s top quarterbacks in Demond Williams Jr. According to On3’s Ari Wasserman, the standout sophomore has already proven himself as a dynamic playmaker. Last season he threw for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns while tossing eight interceptions, finishing with a 69.5 percent completion rate. He also contributed 611 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, demonstrating versatility both through the air and on the ground. Based on those numbers, Williams is positioned as the No. 4 quarterback in the conference, trailing only Oregon’s Dante Moore, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, and USC’s Jayden Maiava.
As the Huskies head into 2026, head coach Jedd Fisch is counting on Williams to live up to that billing in both realms—on the field and in the locker room. Off the field, Williams is set to assume a larger leadership role as he enters his second full year as a starter. That leadership comes as the program seeks to replace significant on-field production from running back Jonah Coleman and wide receiver Denzel Boston, two players who provided substantial impact in recent seasons.
National attention will accompany Williams as well, given his earlier flirtation with the transfer portal. He plans to use that episode as a turning point, leveraging the experience to further his growth and development. Williams reflected on the experience, saying it helped him mature and gain a deeper understanding of various situations. He spoke with the Big Ten Network’s Yogi Roth about how the process forced him to reflect and grow.
“It definitely helped me grow into the man I am right now,” Williams said, describing the period of uncertainty as a catalyst for his development. “It continued to help me mature and understand situations, how to handle certain things.” He added that rebuilding relationships with teammates and coaches was crucial. “It was super important to me to go back and build those relationships back, and I feel like that molded me into the leader I am now, to be able to be more outspoken, be more understanding of certain situations that people go through. You really might not know, but being able to reflect positive energy at all times is super important to me.”
If Williams can take another meaningful step forward in his development, the junior signal-caller could emerge as a dependable presence in big-game moments and a consistent top-tier quarterback on a national level. His progression will be watched closely by Huskies fans and evaluators alike as he aims to elevate Washington back into conference relevance and national discussion. The combination of improved leadership, continued on-field production, and the ability to thrive under increased expectations could position Williams as one of the game’s brightest young quarterbacks in the coming season. This piece originally appeared on Huskies Wire as On3 ranked Demond Williams Jr. among the Big Ten’s top five quarterbacks for enhanced visibility and SEO.