When most people think of breakout stars in college football, they imagine seasoned upperclassmen or highly hyped recruits who have been in the spotlight since high school. But sometimes, a fresh face quietly bursts onto the scene and shakes everything up.
Enter Demond Williams Jr., the Washington Huskies’ upcoming sophomore quarterback. He stole the show last season as a true freshman in the Sun Bowl with a jaw-dropping performance. Now, as he enters his second season with the Huskies, our analysts at CSN believe he can make a difference to the struggling Big 10 squad.
Washington Huskies QB Demond Williams Jr. Set to Shake Up Huskies Squad
Demond Williams’ journey to becoming Washington’s potential franchise quarterback is anything but typical. Originally an early enrollee at Arizona in January 2024, he quickly found himself in an unusual spot when the Huskies snagged his head coach, Jedd Fisch.
Instead of sticking it out at Arizona, Williams made a bold move. He immediately transferred to Washington to continue playing under Fisch’s system. This quick switch turned out to have paid off big time.
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Williams showed that his loyalty and confidence in Fisch’s vision were well-placed. Even though Williams was new to the Huskies, he didn’t sit on the sidelines waiting for a redshirt year. He saw action in 13 games during the 2024 season, mostly in relief and situational roles.
His stat line for the regular season might not jump off the page immediately, but dig deeper, and fans will see a freshman who was learning fast and playing efficiently.
Throughout the 2024 campaign, Williams completed 82 out of 105 passes for 944 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception. He also made 83 rushes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. He made two starts in 13 contests, showing that Washington strongly viewed him as a project they would continue developing in the long run.
For a true freshman thrown into a complex pro-style offense midseason, these numbers are impressive. They showed his accuracy and poise weren’t just raw talent but a foundation he was already building upon.
The moment the college football world started buzzing about Williams came in the 2024 Sun Bowl, where the Huskies faced a Louisville team known for its stingy defense, ranked 20th nationally in scoring defense.
Washington was missing several key players, including NFL Draft hopefuls, so Williams stepped up as the primary quarterback in a high-pressure game. What happened next was nothing short of spectacular. He completed 26 out of 32 passes for 372 yards and four touchdowns. He also made 20 carries for 48 yards and a score.
Not only did he carve up Louisville’s defense with pinpoint accuracy, but his mobility added a dynamic edge that kept defenders guessing. His performance was the best bowl game showing by a Washington QB in years and earned him the prestigious Sun Bowl MVP award, a rare honor for a true freshman.
Why Williams Fits Perfectly in Jedd Fisch’s System
The magic isn’t just in raw numbers. Williams’ skills mesh seamlessly with Coach Fisch’s offensive philosophy, which thrives on making quick decisions to exploit mismatches, having quarterback mobility and play extension to keep defenses off balance, and possessing a blend of RPOs (run-pass options), play-action passes, and deep shots downfield.
Williams is the textbook dual-threat QB Fisch dreams of. His ability to stay calm in the pocket, throw accurately on the move, and scramble when the pressure mounts gives the Huskies an unpredictable weapon. Reports from Washington’s spring 2025 practices have been glowing, highlighting his fast playbook mastery and leadership qualities.
2025 is a huge year for the Huskies. It’s Year 2 in the Big Ten, and Washington’s quarterback play will be under the microscope. While talented competitors are on the roster, including Will Rogers, a seasoned transfer from Mississippi State, Williams seems to be the clear frontrunner heading into fall camp.
Why? Because he’s already lived and breathed Fisch’s offense for a full season, and that Sun Bowl performance showed he can handle pressure against top defenses. His mobility and quick release will be critical in neutralizing the Big Ten’s fierce pass rushes and lockdown secondaries.
Williams’ story is still just beginning, but one thing is clear: Washington may have found its quarterback of the future. His path from a last-minute transfer to Sun Bowl MVP and presumptive Big Ten starter is the kind of rapid rise that excites fans and analysts alike.
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