Husky Representatives at Big Ten Media Days

Quarterbacks At Media Days

Williams is one of eight Big Ten quarterbacks who will take the stage in Las Vegas to represent their programs. Of the group, Penn State’s Drew Allar and Illinois’ Luke Altmyer will become third-year starters for their respective teams. Rutgers’ Athan Kaliakmanis will become a third-year starter as well. It will be his second season at the helm in Piscataway, having been Minnesota’s starting quarterback in 2023. Kaliakmanis also started five games for the Gophers in 2022. These three return the most FBS experience at the quarterback position in the Big Ten Conference. 

Big Ten Media Days will also feature a handful of quarterbacks poised to become second-year starters. Northwestern transfer Preston Stone was SMU’s starting quarterback in 2023. He’s projected to lead the Wildcats this season. Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola started all 13 games for the Huskers in 2024 as a true freshman.

Billy Edwards Jr. will become Wisconsin’s starter this Fall. He called the signals at Maryland a season ago, starting all 11 games in which he played. UCLA is represented by Nico Iamaleava. The former Tennessee Volunteer left Knoxville after starting all 13 games last season because of NIL disputes. He landed in Westwood, where he’ll become a starter. 

Earning His Role

Of this group of Big Ten quarterbacks, Washington’s Williams is the only one who does not return at least one full year of starting experience. The electric Husky played in all 13 games a year ago, earning starts in the final two. But in terms of playing experience, he’ll have the least out of the eight quarterbacks in attendance later this month. This is a testament to what Fisch and staff see in their young quarterback. His teammates and coaches spoke on numerous occasions about Williams’ leadership and football acumen throughout the Spring. 

“Demond, he’s grown, he’s grown a lot,” wide receiver Audric Harris said. “He’s taken that big step, that big role. And he’s really taking on that leadership for sure.” 

“This is what he came here for, to be the starting quarterback at Washington,” offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty said. “He’s always going to be prepared, he’s always going to be a kid that I never worry about what he does behind the scenes.”

“The biggest stride he’s made is his ability to talk the game,” Fisch said after the Spring Game in May. “When I pulled out the iPad at halftime and we went through each play, he knew every play call that was called before we got to it.”

Day Two Highlights

Day two of Big Ten Media Days features Minnesota, Northwestern, Oregon, Penn State, and Wisconsin in addition to the Huskies. The Golden Gophers picked up a couple of former Washington players in the transfer portal this offseason. Seventh-year running back Cam Davis and redshirt sophomore offensive linemen Kahlee Tafai will both suit up in maroon and gold this Fall. 

Washington travels to Wisconsin for just the second time ever on November 8th. Their last meeting in Madison was back in 1968, and the Huskies are 4-0 in the series. Washington will also host Oregon inside Husky Stadium to end the regular season in late November.