Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. stated on Wednesday that his brief choice to leave the Huskies was a mistake influenced by “really bad advice.”
The 19-year-old Williams declared last month that he would be entering the transfer portal, but changed his mind two days later, confirming his return to the Huskies.
According to several reports, Washington was ready to explore legal options to uphold Williams’ substantial name, image, and likeness contract, which reportedly exceeded $4 million, as noted by ESPN. His potential exit raised concerns regarding the legitimacy of such contracts.
When discussing the situation alongside four teammates and coach Jedd Fisch, Williams expressed his gratitude for a reporter’s question in Seattle.
“Being 19, you sometimes receive both good and bad advice,” Williams remarked. “We’re all human and make mistakes. At the end of the day, I feel incredibly grateful to be here with my brothers, my coaches, and at the University of Washington. I’m just thrilled to be here and deeply appreciative.”
When asked what led him to initially enter the portal and then withdraw, Williams conveyed his thankfulness for the acceptance he received from his teammates and coaches upon his return.
He refrained from commenting when questioned about whether LSU was interested in acquiring him via the portal.
Last month, Fisch characterized Williams’ situation as being in “limbo for 48 hours” rather than an extended period. On January 6, Williams announced through social media that he intended to leave the Huskies after his sophomore season, stating, “I have to do what is best for me and my future.”
This announcement was met with disappointment from Washington supporters and coincided with a celebration of life for Mia Hamant, a goalkeeper for the women’s soccer team who passed away due to kidney cancer. In January, Fisch noted that Williams might need to mend any fractured relationships.
Last season, Williams completed 69.5% of his passes for 3,065 yards and threw 25 touchdowns. He expressed his ambitions to become a more vocal leader in 2026 and to play with greater consistency. In the Huskies’ four losses, Williams completed 62.9% of his passes for 645 yards, throwing three touchdowns and six interceptions.
“I’m focused on finding ways to maintain a high level of performance throughout the season,” Williams said. “I’m definitely navigating various learning curves. Experiencing tough games and then coming back the following week to adjust and improve is crucial, as I continue to learn how to prepare.”
