Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr makes stunning reversal after $4M NIL controversy rocks program

Demond Williams Jr., a assemblage shot subordinate who ignited contention by entering the transportation portal conscionable days aft signing a lucrative name, representation and likeness woody with Washington, announced precocious Thursday that helium volition stay with the Huskies. The abrupt reversal comes amid reports that the assemblage was weighing its ineligible options to enforce the contract.

Williams, 19, signed an NIL woody connected Jan. 2 to stay arsenic Washington’s backmost for the 2026 season, a declaration reportedly valued astatine astir $4 million. Days aboriginal — connected the aforesaid time arsenic the memorial work for Washington women’s shot subordinate Mia Hamant, who died successful November aft a agelong conflict with kidney crab — Williams announced his volition to participate the transportation portal.

Demond Williams Jr. of the Washington Huskies arrives for the crippled against the Oregon Ducks astatine Husky Stadium connected Nov. 29, 2025 successful Seattle, Washington. (Blake Dahlin/ISI Photos/ISI Photos)

The decision, and the timing of Williams’ announcement, was met with some daze and backlash.  

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The fallout of that announcement led Williams’ agent, Doug Hendrickson, to driblet the quarterback, citing "philosophical differences." Williams past retained Florida-based lawyer Darren Heitner amid reports that the assemblage was exploring ineligible enactment to enforce the contract.

But successful a shocking reversal, Williams released a connection Thursday confirming that helium would beryllium staying with Washington. 

"After thoughtful reflection with my family, I americium excited to denote that I volition proceed my shot travel astatine the University of Washington. I americium profoundly grateful to my coaches, teammates, and everyone successful the programme for fostering an situation wherever I tin thrive some arsenic an jock and arsenic an individual," his connection posted to societal media read. 

"I americium afloat committed and focused connected contributing to what we are building."

Demond Williams Jr. of the Washington Huskies celebrates a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during the 2nd fractional astatine Husky Stadium connected Nov. 29, 2025 successful Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

AGENT DUMPS WASHINGTON QUARTERBACK TRYING TO BREAK $4M CONTRACT DAYS AFTER SIGNING

Williams besides apologized that his archetypal announcement "coincided with the solemnisation of beingness for Mia Hamant, a beloved subordinate of our University community. I ne'er intended to telephone attraction distant from specified an important moment." 

In his statement, caput manager Jedd Fisch acknowledged the strain caused by the concern and said the programme would enactment with Williams to repair relationships and rebuild spot wrong the Husky community.

"Over the past fewer days, Demond and I person engaged successful precise honorable and heartfelt conversations astir his contiguous and future. We some hold that the University of Washington is the champion spot for him to proceed his academic, athletic, and societal development," helium said successful a connection provided by the university.

Demond Williams Jr. of the Washington Huskies passes against the Oregon Ducks during the archetypal fractional astatine Husky Stadium connected Nov. 29, 2025 successful Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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"I admit Demond's statement. I enactment him, and we volition enactment unneurotic to statesman the process of repairing relationships and regaining the spot of the Husky community." 

Williams is simply a dual-threat backmost who threw for 3,065 yards with 25 touchdowns and 8 interceptions, portion besides rushing for 611 yards and six scores during his sophomore play astatine Washington.

Fox News Digital’s Scott Thompson contributed to this report. 

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