Washington sets important transfer portal precedent with QB Demond Williams Jr. 

The saga between quarterback Demond Williams Jr. and the University of Washington has reached a conclusion. Williams announced on Thursday night that he will be returning to the Huskies for the 2026 season, ending a chaotic week that saw him reportedly sign a $4 million contract to play at Washington this season, then announce his decision to enter the transfer portal, his agent fire him and Washington explore all of its legal options.

In the end, his return is a big win for Washington's offense in 2026 and its football program.

It is also a big win for Washington and schools across the NCAA in an effort to bring at least some semblance of structure to the transfer portal. 

Washington sets important standard in keeping QB Demond Williams

There is nothing wrong with players using the transfer portal and looking to put themselves into the best possible situation, whether it be in terms of playing opportunity, financially or a combination of the two. Williams had that opportunity for himself.

Having said that, there also needs to be rules to this.

There needs to be standards.

There needs to be accountability when contracts are agreed to and signed.

If Williams signed a contract to return to Washington and then tried to leave and back out of it, and then Washington had allowed that to happen, it would have set a pretty ugly precedent for both the program and the NCAA as a whole. It would have only thrown fuel onto the fire that is the transfer portal and made it seem like even more of a wild west situation. 

Washington athletic director Pat Chun basically said as much in a statement announcing Williams' return to the program.