Jedd Fisch has found a likely replacement for Demond Williams Jr.

Washington landed another player from the transfer portal on Monday, and this one could shape the program’s future. Elijah Brown, who entered the transfer portal after two seasons with the Stanford Cardinal, announced via On3’s Hayes Fawcett that he had committed to the Huskies:

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Brown may only be ranked a three-star transfer by 247Sports, but he’s a former four-star high school prospect who started four years at national powerhouse Mater Dei High School. Brown’s also got the starting experience which head coach Jedd Fisch is looking for in a backup quarterback.

“We’re going to look at possibly replacing Kai Horton, if we need a No. 2 quarterback with some experience,” Fisch said during a press conference on Jan. 14. “But I also believe that Derek Zammit and Kini McMillan and Dash Beierly earned the right to compete for that No. 2 job.”

Although Fisch voiced confidence for Washington’s three existing backups, the addition of Brown seems like a clear indication that the Huskies’ current options aren’t yet ready for the bright lights of college football.

Brown, on the other hand, has legitimate starting experience to his name. In 2025, he played in three games before replacing Ben Gulbranson as Stanford’s starting quarterback in November.  Brown started the Cardinal’s final three games, and finished the season with 74 completions on 127 attempts (58.3% completion rate) for 829 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Elijah Brown will back up Demond Williams Jr. in 2025, but he could start for Washington someday

Brown is the favorite to assume Washington’s QB2 role in 2026. However, Fisch’s reserved transfer portal philosophy also makes Brown the favorite to replace Demond Williams Jr. when the junior quarterback eventually leaves Washington.

“I do not and will not subscribe to trying to build a football team through free agency,” Fisch said on Jan 14. “Some people can do that. Good for them. That is not us. We are going to bring in players, develop them, and see how good they can get.” 

That may sound like an entirely anti-portal stance, but it’s not. Fisch made it clear during that press conference that he values internal talent development over exterior talent acquisition. The decision to sign Brown into a backup role indicates that Fisch believes in the rising sophomore’s potential and ability to improve further.

That’s a good sign for Husky fans. Brown, who won two California state championships with Mater Dei, impressed 247Sports’ Greg Biggins with “high level anticipation and accuracy,” poise, and underrated athleticism.

If Williams Jr. decides to enter the NFL Draft or transfer portal in 2027, Brown could take over with two years of eligibility remaining. However, if Williams Jr. stays for his senior season, Brown could also spend another year in development and emerge as Washington’s starter as a redshirt senior in 2028. 

Williams Jr. will be Washington’s starter for the foreseeable future, but it’s good to be prepared. This offseason’s been full of twists and turns for the Huskies, but they may have just secured their next starting quarterback.