SEATTLE (AP) — In February, a somber Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. called his short-lived decision to leave the Huskies a mistake that resulted from “really bad advice.”
The 20-year-old Williams announced in January he was entering the transfer portal, then changed his mind two days later and said he would be back with the Huskies.
According to multiple reports, Washington was prepared to pursue legal options to enforce Williams’ lucrative
name, image and likeness contract. Williams’ NIL deal exceeded $4 million, according to ESPN, and his potential departure raised questions about the validity of such contracts.
But as Washington spring practices neared their end, Williams had a notably more upbeat demeanor, rushing off the field at Husky Stadium to greet reporters on a Thursday in late April. A year ago, coach Jedd Fisch said Williams had evolved as a leader ahead of his first season as the Huskies’ starting quarterback.
Last Thursday, a confident Williams said he has become more vocal with his teammates, and is not afraid to say what he’s thinking these days.
“It’s just understanding what’s asked and trying to demand it out of all the players,” Williams said. “And, also, just on an off-the-field level. Just spending a lot more time and understanding each player. You have to talk to players differently. I think that’s a big part of leadership.”
That evolution as a leader hasn’t been lost on those who know Williams best. Wide receiver Dezmen Roebuck first met Williams when they were each in grade school and playing in a flag football tournament.
Without being prompted, Roebuck seconded Williams’ assessment that he’s a more vocal leader these days, especially relative to a decade ago.
“He knows how to get the guys going,” Williams said. “He knows how to approach different people (in) different ways. Obviously, I feel like he’s improved a lot as a leader on this team. And, he’s gained a lot of respect from a lot of people.”
In January, Fish said he was hopeful Washington fans would forgive Williams in time, and added it was a “win” to get him back in addition to retaining 60 other players from the Huskies’ roster that produced a 9-4 record last season, capped by a 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl.
It remains to be seen whether Williams will win over those outside the Huskies’ locker room, though.
His teammates have made it clear the quarterback has their full support. He’s put in the effort off the field to show how serious he is about being a leader in all capacities — not just when it comes to barking out orders at the line of scrimmage, or encouraging teammates during practices.
Wide receiver Rashid Williams said the Washington quarterback has set aside more time relative to last year for laid-back activities like playing video games, or going to a bowling alley.
“We got a lot of chemistry and stuff now, more than last year, just hanging outside the building,” Rashid Williams said. “He throws to us, so we got to make him look good.”
Williams did a fine job as a starter last year before his offseason kerfuffle. In his first full season as the Huskies’ starting quarterback, Williams completed 69.5% of his passes for 3,065 yards with 25 touchdown passes.
Now, Williams will work more closely with Fisch after the Huskies parted ways with offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty after one season in Seattle. Washington did not hire a dedicated offensive coordinator, and Fisch will call plays himself as he did in his first two seasons with the Huskies.
But with Dougherty’s departure, Williams also has a new quarterbacks coach in former NFL quarterback J.P. Losman, who joined Washington’s staff as a quality control coach last year. In Losman, Williams has a coach who keeps him accountable — and somebody who he believes is bringing out the best in the Huskies quarterback after an offseason of turmoil.
“I’m just blessed to have a great support staff,” Williams said. “With coach J.P., to really pick his brain has really helped me come out of my shell.”
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