Washington seemingly is planning legal action against Demond Williams Jr. after the quarterback announced he would enter the transfer portal just days after signing a revenue-sharing and NIL (name, image and likeness) contract with the school.
“UW will pursue all legal avenues to protect our institution,” Kurt Svoboda, a deputy athletic director, said in an email sent to The Seattle Times on Wednesday. He declined to be more specific.
The newspaper reported Williams signed a $4 million, one-year contract with Washington on Jan. 2.
Front Office Sports cited a source saying that Washington’s goal would be to hold Williams accountable for specific provisions in his contract. In short, a buyout would be on the table given that Williams is leaving before the expiration of the agreement.
Per Front Office Sports, Washington has yet to submit Williams’ name to the transfer portal.
Williams’ motive to leave Washington is not immediately clear, however CBS Sports reported on Tuesday that Lane Kiffin and LSU are expected to pursue him.
“I have to do what is best for me and my future,” Williams wrote Tuesday on social media. “After much thought and prayer, I will be entering the transfer portal.”
Williams earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors in the coaches’ vote and also was selected to the Big Ten All-Academic team.
He thanked his coaches, teammates, Huskies fans and the Seattle community in the social media post before concluding with his announcement that he intended to transfer.
Williams started all 13 games as a sophomore as the Huskies went 9-4, including a 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl on Dec. 13. He was 15 of 24 for 215 yards and four touchdowns in the game.
For the season, Williams completed 246 of 354 passes (69.5%) for 3,065 yards, 25 TDs and eight interceptions. He also ran for 611 yards, which was second on the team, and six TDs.
For his Washington career, Williams completed 71.5% of his passes for 4,009 yards, 33 TDs and nine interceptions in 26 games (2024-25). He also rushed for 893 yards and eight touchdowns.
