The second year of the Jedd Fisch era at Washington brings with it a renewed sense of optimism—particularly on offense, where the Huskies are expected to look significantly different from their 2024 campaign. A major reason for that shift is a clearer commitment to building the system around the right quarterback.
In 2024, the Huskies leaned on veteran transfer Will Rogers, a former Air Raid quarterback who initially came to UW to play under Kalen DeBoer. But after DeBoer departed for Alabama, Rogers stayed on under Fisch. Early in the season, Rogers was serviceable, but as defenses adjusted and his limitations became more apparent, the offense struggled. Fisch’s playbook seemed restricted by Rogers’ skill set, and as the season progressed, it became clear that the unit was operating at less than full capacity.
Despite having Demond Williams Jr. as a backup—a quarterback who appeared to better align with Fisch’s offensive philosophy—Washington was hesitant to make the switch until late in the year. Once they did, however, the offense found new life. Williams impressed, particularly with his performance in the Sun Bowl, showcasing mobility, tempo, and the kind of dynamic play that Fisch seems to value.
Now, with a full offseason to prepare as the starter, Williams is in position to take a major step forward. But as ESPN’s Greg McElroy recently pointed out, the big question heading into 2025 is just how high Williams’ ceiling really is—and whether he can elevate this Washington offense to compete at a high level in the Big Ten.
Greg McElroy points out that the Washington Huskies will need to support Demond Williams Jr. so he can reach his full potential
All that considered, Greg McElroy appears genuinely intrigued by Demond Williams Jr. and the upside he brings to the Washington offense.
“When you look at Williams, there were definitely some flashes late in his freshman season that should give Husky fans real optimism about what Jedd Fisch might have in this quarterback,” McElroy said.
And he’s right—Williams delivered a strong finish to the year. McElroy quickly backed that up with numbers: “He completed 78 percent of his passes and threw for 944 yards,” he pointed out.
The big question now is what that looks like going forward.
“With a full offseason to prepare as the guy, you have to like the chances of a breakout sophomore year for Williams,” McElroy added.
For that to happen, Washington’s receiving corps will need to step up—especially with veteran Giles Jackson now gone after heading to the NFL as an undrafted free agent. Fortunately, the Huskies still have a deep and talented group of wideouts capable of making explosive plays and helping Williams reach his potential.