He’s back: Demond Williams Jr. announces return to UW Huskies

Jan 8, 2026, 5:12 PM | Updated: 7:08 pm

UW Huskies Demond Williams Jr. looks to pass Ohio State 2025...

UW Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. looks to pass against Ohio State on Sept. 27, 2025. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

BY CAMERON VAN TIL

Seattle Sports

Demond Williams Jr. is coming back to Montlake after all.

After a roller-coaster past 48 hours, the standout dual-threat sophomore quarterback announced Thursday evening that he’s returning to the UW Huskies for the 2026 season.

It’s the latest twist in a chaotic saga that began Tuesday night with Williams’ announcement that he was entering the transfer portal, despite reportedly having already signed a revenue-share contract just four days earlier to return to UW.

Williams’ initial decision to transfer set off a firestorm through the college sports world over the viability of contracts at the college level. UW reportedly planned to enforce the contract, which had the situation seemingly headed toward a legal battle.

“After thoughtful reflection with my family, I am excited to announce that I will continue my football journey at the University of Washington,” Williams posted on Instagram. “I am deeply grateful to my coaches, teammates, and everyone in the program for fostering an environment where I can thrive both as an athlete and an individual.

“I am fully committed and focused on contributing to what we are building.”

Williams also apologized for the timing of his initial transfer announcement, which coincided with the celebration of life for UW women’s soccer goalkeeper Mia Hamant, who died of kidney cancer this past fall.

“I apologize that the timing of these events coincided with the celebration of life for Mia Hamant, a beloved member of our University community,” Williams said. “I never intended to call attention away from such an important moment.”

UW head coach Jedd Fisch addressed the events in a statement Thursday evening.

“Over the last few days, Demond and I have engaged in very honest and heartfelt conversations about his present and future,” Fisch said. “… I support him, and we will work together to begin the process of repairing relationships and regaining the trust of the Husky community.”

Williams’ about-face return to UW came after Wasserman Football’s Doug Hendrickson announced Thursday morning that he was cutting ties as Williams’ agent, citing “philosophical differences.” Hendrickson notably also is Fisch’s agent.

Shortly after that, attorney Darren Heitner posted on social media that he’d been retained as legal counsel for Williams.

“I’ve been told that Demond Williams spent most of today discussing his options,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel said late Thursday afternoon during the network’s “College GameDay” pregame show at the Fiesta Bowl, shortly before Williams announced his return to UW.

“If he was to leave and transfer, he was going to face legal action from Washington. Sources there had made it clear to me they were going to enforce the $4.5 million contract he had just signed four days before announcing he was going to go into the portal.”

Thamel also reported Thursday night that LSU was Williams’ likely transfer destination.

That follows a previous report from Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger that UW officials suspected another school contacted Williams after he signed his contract with the Huskies.

LSU’s new head coach is Lane Kiffin, who Williams initially committed to as a high school junior in December 2022, back when Kiffin was the head coach at Ole Miss.

Williams, a native of Chandler, Ariz., decommitted from Ole Miss in July 2023 and committed to Arizona, where Fisch was the head coach at the time. Williams then followed Fisch to UW after he took over as the Huskies’ head coach in January 2024.

Williams, an electrifying dual-threat talent with blazing speed and elusiveness, spent most of his 2024 true freshman season as a change-of-pace backup behind then-senior Will Rogers. Williams then took over the starting job late in the year, capped by a breakout performance in the Sun Bowl.

As a first-year starter for UW this past fall, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Williams put his dual-threat skill set on display while leading the Huskies to a 9-4 record. He completed 69.5% of his passes for 3,065 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions, while also running for 611 yards and six TDs.

“The past 48 hours have underscored just how complex and challenging the current college athletics environment has become,” UW athletic director Pat Chun said in a statement Thursday evening. “What has transpired has been difficult for all parties involved and is emblematic of many of the current issues in college sports.

“It is critical in this post-House, revenue-sharing environment that contracts with student-athletes are not only enforced but respected by everyone within the college sports ecosystem. … We will continue to support Demond as he continues his academic and athletic career at UW.”