The 2025 Washington Huskies (6-2, 3-2 Big Ten) have been a team defined by offense. That offense is itself a function of three star talents: quarterback Demond Williams Jr., running back Jonah Coleman, and wide receiver Denzel Boston.
These three are producing highlights left and right, but who’s playing the best? Let’s take a look at their respective seasons to determine who’s most likely to be honored this postseason.
Demond Williams Jr.
Williams Jr. has been fantastic in his first full season as Washington’s starting quarterback. Through eight weeks, he’s completed 163 of 223 passes for 2,117 yards, 14 touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s also tallied 89 carries for 429 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Of the 96 FBS passers with 200+ dropbacks, Williams Jr. ranks second in completion percentage (73.1%) and fifth in yards per attempt (9.5). He’s also a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week winner.
He was first honored in Week 4, when he compiled 386 total yards and five total touchdowns in a 59-24 Apple Cup win over Washington State. Following the game, Williams Jr. was named Co-Offensive Player of the Week alongside Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.
However, his Week 7 showing against Rutgers went unmatched, earning him sole possession of the weekly conference honor. Williams Jr. went 21/27 through the air for 402 yards and two touchdowns and used his legs to add 13 carries for 136 yards and two more scores. In doing so, he set a program record for total yardage, and he became just the 16th FBS player ever to throw for 400 yards and rush for 100 yards in the same game.
As a result, he was named the Maxwell Player of the Week and the Davey O’Brien Co-National Quarterback of the Week. The Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards are awarded annually to the nation’s best overall player and quarterback, respectively.
Williams Jr. was among 80 members of the Maxwell’s preseason watchlist but was not one of the 36 returning quarterbacks named in the Davey O’Brien preseason watchlist. No Husky has ever won the Davey O’Brien Award, but quarterback Michael Penix Jr. won the Maxwell in 2023.
On Oct. 2, Williams Jr. was also named to the inaugural Hispanic College Football Player of the Year watchlist. He wasn’t among the 15 players listed when the watchlist initially dropped on Oct. 1, but he was added the next day.
So how do Williams Jr’s odds look in his various award pursuits?
Because Williams Jr. sits outside the nation’s top 10 in passing yards (14th) and passing touchdowns (T-31st), he’s not currently a prime contender for the O’Brien or Maxwell awards. He’s got four games with which to improve those numbers, but he faces a tough opponent across the board in Indiana’s Mendoza.
Mendoza leads the nation with 24 touchdown passes and has thrown just three interceptions. His 72.2% completion percentage and average of 9.4 yards per attempt rank fifth and sixth nationally.
Those marks are just behind Williams Jr.’s ranks of second and fifth, but Mendoza’s Hoosiers have two wins against AP top-10 opponents and are in position to battle for a conference title this December.
Mendoza is eligible for the Maxwell, Davey O’Brien, and Hispanic College Football Player of the Year awards, and he will likely also compete with Williams Jr. for All-American and All-Big Ten honors.
We could see a real duel between the two for any number of awards. The Hoosiers’ four remaining opponents (Maryland, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue) have a combined conference record of 1-17, which should give Mendoza plenty of opportunity to pad his stats.
Williams Jr.’s road is slightly harder given the Huskies’ upcoming Nov. 29 clash with No. 6 Oregon. However, the Huskies will also play Wisconsin and Purdue (both 0-5 in Big Ten play) and should get a chance to run up the score in both.
At a minimum, Williams Jr. is a strong contender for All-Big Ten honors, but he’s got to separate from a herd there too. Among Big Ten passers, Williams Jr. currently ranks second in completion percentage, third in passing yards, fifth in passer rating, and seventh in passing touchdowns. The Chandler, Arizona native has played well but will need a strong final month of football to prove he’s deserving of being honored at the conference or national levels.