The final memory of the 2024 season for Husky fans was bittersweet: a heartbreaking 35-34 loss against Louisville in the Sun Bowl, but a standout performance from freshman quarterback Demond Williams Jr. that made us say, "He's our guy."
In that game, Williams totaled 422 yards with his arm and legs, scoring five touchdowns in the process. Despite an early interception that led to a pick six, Williams remained poised throughout the game and showcased his dual-threat capabilities that will be essential to Washington's success in 2025.
Williams enters this season not only as the clear-cut starting quarterback for the Huskies, but as one of the most talented players in all of college football. His bursting quickness and explosive acceleration has earned himself comparisons to other speedsters at the position like Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson, and his passing ability is nothing to scoff at either.
In just 105 pass attempts so far in his college career, Williams has completed 78.1% for 944 yards, throwing eight touchdowns against only one interception. On the ground, he’s added 282 yards on 83 carries, crossing the goal line twice.
But talent and a small sample size of impressive stats alone won't guarantee better results for 2025...
Williams is still raw as a prospect, meaning that there's a wide spectrum of outcomes for him this season. Does he have the talent to absolutely explode and put his name in Heisman conversations? Yes. Is it possible he hits a sophomore slump and opposing defenses figure out how to contain him as he puts more game on film? Yes, as well.
I believe Williams's performance this season will ultimately land somewhere in between those extremes. He will improve upon his breakout last year, both individually and for the team's record as a whole, and will set himself up in a good place to have even higher expectations for the 2026 season. Most importantly, he will gain valuable experience in several tough games that will be massive down the road when he hopefully leads the Huskies back to the playoffs in his upperclassman years.
The undersized, 5 foot 11 Williams is the first true dual-threat signal caller Washington has seen in years, and his ability to extend plays with his legs is a luxury that simply can’t be taught. Defenses will have to account for both his arm and his legs on every snap, which opens up the field for his teammates and makes the Huskies offense far more dynamic.
That being said, there’s no need to rush into bold predictions. It’s too early to pencil Williams into Heisman conversations, speculate about him leaving early for the NFL, or worry that a blue-blood program might try to poach him through the transfer portal.
The most important thing this season is simply to watch him play, enjoy the ride. The 2025 campaign promises to be a showcase of what Williams can become. If the Huskies harness his potential and give him the right support around him, the sky’s the limit. And for Washington fans, that’s reason enough to be excited every Saturday.