Demond Williams Jr. warms up for the LA Bowl Boise State, Dec. 13, 2025 in Inglewood, Calif. (Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times)
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By
Seattle Times sports staff
After a three-day saga that included declaring his intention to transfer and then changing his mind and apologizing, Demond Williams Jr. is right back where he started: as QB1 of the Washington Huskies.
But in those three days, so much has seemingly changed.
It’s not known what kind of damage — if any — has been done in the UW locker room and to Williams’ teammates. Those are the opinions that matter most.
But Husky fans have been hurt by the ordeal and the timing of the announcement, which came during a memorial service for former UW soccer player Mia Hamant.
Many have voiced their opinions loudly on social media, and some have gone in ugly directions about a 19-year-old student-athlete. But there are plenty of measured, and reasonable reactions from Husky fans who felt betrayed by the quarterback they hope will lead them potentially to the College Football Playoff.
There are also fans who point out that Williams’ actions are the byproduct of a fractured system.
In a statement, UW coach Jedd Fisch said the work is beginning to start “repairing relationship and regaining the trust of the Husky community.”
So, will you be rooting for Williams as UW’s quarterback next season? We wanted to see our readers’ opinions, and turned to our comments to do it. Below is a sampling of what Seattle Times subscribers had to say on the matter.
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Much of the vitriol here seems focused on the timing of the announcement and the fact that he had signed an NIL deal with UW just 4 days earlier, but I’d like someone to explain how that 4-day makes this so astronomically worse of a situation. If Demond had announced 4-days earlier that he was entering the transfer portal and never signed a deal with UW, would everybody be totally cool with it? I think multiple players have announced they were entering the portal, then returned to their original schools. Aside from the contract signing, this is how things work these days. I know that signing a contract in this situation seems foolish, but what would UW have done differently if he hadn’t signed the deal, and this same situation played out with just an announcement and a reversal?
-user15465546843293
There are few 19 year olds that have not made mistakes. This diehard Husky welcomes him back. He received bad advice and any animosity should go to those programs that gave him that advice.
-muramotokeith
He broke the team’s trust in him, It is sad that college football is all about NIL money.
-randolph Nagy
Very relieved Demond is staying. He is fun, exciting to watch. Hope he continues to improve and the Dawgs have a good season. Win ’em mighty Dawgs!
-sequimdawgbob
We all have situations where we second guess ourselves, but to take actions that destroy your integrity, honesty and trustworthiness is not worth the consequences. He will be forever known for this, and it will take many years for others to be able to trust him again. I’d have let him walk, sue him for current contract enforcement and that would have been a more meaningful lesson. If he clearly does not want to be here anyway, why take him back?
-user16157385136256
It is no longer “college” football, this is why I didn’t watch a single game last year. Just annoying
-user15373107245208
Everyone deserves a second chance, especially 19 yo’s. But this is going to be awkward.
-ThomasCovenant
Perhaps entering into multimillion dollar contracts with teenagers carries some risks. Good on the kid for owning his mistake and making the right call after being corrected. Good on the coach for getting in there with him and showing him the light. If this is the biggest mistake he ever makes he’ll have a pretty awesome life. Hopefully he turns it into a positive for himself and grows. I’m a coug that generally enjoys any chance to watch UW football squirm, but man I’m surprised how mature so many people expect these teenagers to be.
-fisherman1
I don’t know. I think some advisor told him he could hold out for more NIL, as long as his threat was real. I say cut him some slack; I’ll be happy to have him back. We’re all learning the new system.
-user1064283
This is a good outcome for UW, for Williams, and for college football!
-Tim Exton
He’s the worst, and the Huskies have lost all credibility in taking him back. Shameful display.
-user15218247806601
Whoop-de-do, he already sold his integrity for a little cash. Enjoy the money but the integrity is gone. College football is simply a play-for-pay professional minor league football grift. Shameless.
-user1109819
I’m glad he’s staying and I’ll cheer him on. Time to move forward.
-Nordic Guy
