Huskies fans may not have to wait long for the most interesting moment of this year’s spring scrimmage. When junior quarterback Demond Williams Jr. takes his first snap of the game, we may find out whether or not the fanbase has forgiven him for January’s transfer portal fiasco.
Williams shocked the college football world on Jan. 6 when he announced on social media that he intended to enter the transfer portal. Perplexingly, the decision came just four days after it was reported that he’d signed a $4 million revenue-sharing contract with the University of Washington, which would keep him a Husky for the 2026 season.
That agreement followed a promising 2025 season in which Williams completed 69.5% of his passing attempts for 25 passing touchdowns (plus six more rushing scores) and eight interceptions. He dealt with injuries to his offensive line and was sacked 31 times, but the season gave no indications that a departure from Montlake was imminent.
Williams withdrew from the transfer portal after two drama-filled days, but it may have been enough time to deal permanent damage to his relationship with the Huskies fans he, though only briefly, betrayed.
Fans are deciding whether to boo or not to boo at the spring scrimmage
His decision to enter the transfer portal drew additional criticism because it went live on social media whilst Williams’ teammates and coaches were attending a memorial service for the late UW goalkeeper Mia Hamant. Williams made a personal apology to Hamant’s teammates following the incident, but fans may not have forgiven him for the carelessness he displayed.
To make matters worse, Williams has since provided little explanation as to why he entered the portal. He offered “no comment” when asked directly about a rumor that Louisiana State University had been the school trying to get him out of Seattle, and the remarks he made regarding his future with Washington felt insufficient given the drama he’d just caused.
"Being 19, you get good advice and you get really bad advice at times," Williams said in a February press appearance which was his first since the incident. "We're all human. We all make mistakes. And at the end of the day, I'm super blessed to be here with my brothers and my coaches and just at the University of Washington. I'm just so happy to be here and so blessed."
That would be a great statement to make after signing a $4 million-dollar contract extension. Given that Williams Jr. had just declared himself unsatisfied with that salary and a third season with Washington, fans have every right to be skeptical about his commitment to the Huskies going forward.
We may find out the extent of fans’ displeasure when Williams first lines up behind center at 6:30 p.m. tonight. The Husky faithful wouldn’t have dreamed of booing him at last year’s spring game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if fans decide to voice their displeasure with his infidelity.
Unfortunately for Williams, any hostility he does experience in his return to Husky Stadium could remain for a while longer. Winning is the only thing that satisfies college football fans, and Williams is still more than four months away from giving Huskies fans anything real to celebrate. The reception fans give the third-year quarterback tonight could be a major tone-setter for both the 2026 season and for the remainder of Williams' time with the Huskies.
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