UW Huskies QB Demond Williams Jr. wins Manning camp event

The Demond Williams Jr. hype train had already been picking up steam this offseason.

This past weekend, the UW Huskies dual-threat quarterback provided even more reason for excitement ahead of his first full season the Dawgs’ QB1.

UW Huskies unveil new football uniforms – details on what’s changed

Williams won the Air It Out Challenge – an accuracy competition that involved both moving and stationary targets – at the esteemed Manning Passing Academy on Friday night in Thibodeaux, La. After his victory, he posed for a photo with Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.

🏆 DWJ wins the Manning Passing Academy Air It Out Challenge, @QBDwilliams1 🙌
pic.twitter.com/dCjx1lH0xC

— Washington Football (@UW_Football) June 28, 2025

Williams was one of roughly two dozen college quarterbacks who were invited to serve as counselors for the 29th annual Manning Passing Academy, which drew more than 1,400 high school quarterbacks and receivers to Louisiana for the four-day event.

Along with Williams, most of the top QBs in college football were on hand as counselors – including Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Texas’ Arch Manning, Penn State’s Drew Allar, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt and Oklahoma’s John Mateer. It’s unclear how many of those QBs competed in the accuracy competition.

Williams is the second UW quarterback in three years to win the Air It Out Challenge. Michael Penix Jr. won the event two years prior to his record-setting 2023 season that led the Huskies to the national championship game.

.@UW_Football QB Demond Williams Jr. reigns supreme 💯 pic.twitter.com/xoBIBnG6z7

— Riddell Sports (@RiddellSports) June 28, 2025

As a true freshman last fall, the speedy 5-foot-11, 190-pound Williams spent most of the season as a change-of-pace QB behind then-senior Will Rogers. Williams then took over the starting job late in the year after providing a second-half spark in the Huskies’ bowl-clinching win against UCLA.

Williams made his first career start in the regular-season finale against archrival Oregon and then delivered a sensational performance against Louisville in the Sun Bowl, where he put his electrifying skill set on full display while nearly leading a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback. He accounted for 422 total yards and five touchdowns in the 35-34 loss to Louisville – highlighted by a a Houdini-like play on a last-minute TD drive.

For the season, Williams finished 82-of-105 passing for 944 yards, eight TDs and one interception. He also ran for 282 yards and two scores.

HOW’D HE MAKE THIS PLAY?! pic.twitter.com/yEwMOKliTO

— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 31, 2024

Huard: Fisch’s 2026 recruiting class has UW Huskies nearing ‘sweet spot’

Related

UW, WSU won’t play in men’s basketball this season, per reportReport: UW Huskies land transfer from another Big Ten schoolFormer UW Huskies star Matisse Thybulle signing with LA LakersBig Ten: Michigan AD Warde Manuel agrees to buyout after probePhil Steele’s outlook for the UW Huskies in 2026Son of former UW great commits to Huskies football program