Demond Williams, Washington drama proves fallibility of the college football landscape

Demond Williams situation could turn ugly

Therein lies the danger in the current, fallible landscape of college football — and, particularly, the transfer portal and NIL. 

To his credit, Williams did have a solid 2025 season. The sophomore QB threw for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns, leading the Huskies to a 9-4 campaign that concluded with a 38-10 blowout of Boise State in the LA Bowl. 

But turning away from the school you've been at for two years after announcing your intention to stay and signing a deal that comes with plenty of zeros attached is not at all a good sign for where college football is heading. 

There's no inherent harm in college football players being compensated. After all, it's their efforts that bring together millions of fans and generate millions of dollars for their universities. 

But college football has jumped into the deep end of the pool in regard to the transfer portal and NIL, and it doesn't seem like it had a plan as to how to get back to the shallow end or climb out. 

Thamel also reported that it's possible that the University of Washington will take legal action in order to enforce the contract that Williams previously signed. 

If Williams and UW are embroiled in litigation, that doesn't seem like an avenue that would make Williams a more attractive transfer portal addition for any schools that might have the means to pay him more.