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UW Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. Addresses Transfer Portal Dalliance
Williams says he received "bad advice" but is "super blessed" to be back with Huskies teammates and coaches.
Published on Feb. 4, 2026
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University of Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. addressed his brief foray into the NCAA transfer portal, saying he received "bad advice" but is "super blessed" to be back with his Husky teammates and coaches. Williams, who started all 13 games last season and led the Huskies to a 9-4 record, shocked the program by announcing he would enter the transfer portal, only to later reverse that decision.
Why it matters
Williams' transfer portal announcement created a temporary crisis for the UW football program, as the starting quarterback's potential departure would have been a major blow. His decision to ultimately remain with the Huskies provides stability and continuity for the team heading into the 2026 season.
The details
At a press conference on National Signing Day, Williams apologized for the disruption, saying "Everybody gets bad advice at times. We're all human, we all make mistakes." He cited the "family aspect" of being at Washington and "understanding this is where I'm meant to be" as reasons for staying. When asked if LSU was the school trying to recruit him, Williams declined to comment.
- On February 4, 2026, Williams addressed the media about his transfer portal dalliance.
The players
Demond Williams Jr.
The starting quarterback for the University of Washington football team, who briefly entered the NCAA transfer portal before deciding to remain with the Huskies.
Jedd Fisch
The head coach of the University of Washington football team.
John Mills
A sophomore offensive guard for the University of Washington football team.
What they’re saying
“Everybody gets bad advice at times. We're all human we all make mistakes. At the end of the day, I'm super blesed to be here with all my brothers and my coaches.”
— Demond Williams Jr., University of Washington Quarterback (si.com)
“I'm at the University of Washington and i'm so happy to here. Just the family aspect of being here and staying here and understanding this is where I'm meant to be and this is where God has placed me.”
— Demond Williams Jr., University of Washington Quarterback (si.com)
“I appreciate the whole community. I appreciate all my brothers on this team and all my teammates and my coaches for accepting me back. and being able to come in here and being able to lead the team to [meet] all the expectations.”
— Demond Williams Jr., University of Washington Quarterback (si.com)
What’s next
The University of Washington football team will continue preparations for the 2026 season with Demond Williams Jr. as their starting quarterback.
The takeaway
This incident highlights the volatility of the NCAA transfer portal and the importance of players receiving good advice. Williams' decision to ultimately remain at Washington provides stability for the Huskies program and demonstrates the value of strong team culture and relationships.
