SEATTLE — Barring damage, there’s no debating who Washington’s subsequent quarterback shall be — and it’s one coach Jedd Fisch has thought extremely of for a very long time.
Sophomore Demond Williams Jr., who appeared in 13 video games for the Huskies as a freshman and accomplished over 78% of his passes, initially enrolled at Arizona when Fisch was nonetheless operating the present in Tucson.
As Washington wrapped up spring follow with its annual scrimmage on Friday evening, it has develop into clear to Fisch that Williams isn’t simply the undisputed play-caller.
“He’s certainly evolved as a leader,” Fisch mentioned. “You can certainly feel and see him out there. The fact that it’s his team now, he’s not sitting back. He can understand that it’s truly, truly up to him if the offense is struggling to get the offense going. Truly up to him if the offense is having success to keep the success going.”
Williams spent most of final season because the backup to Mississippi State switch Will Rogers, however flashed his potential within the Solar Bowl towards Louisville by finishing 26 of 32 passes for 374 yards and 4 touchdowns.
This spring, the quarterback continued to exhibit his deft passing contact, particularly on brief, rhythm routes.
Regardless of a shorter stature, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Williams may very nicely be the sort of quarterback Fisch needs to run the Huskies’ offense.
“We got 14 weeks (until the regular season starts) and we got to get really good together,” Fisch mentioned. “I’m going to commit to seeing how good we can be as a quarterback-play-caller tandem. And then on the same token, I know he’s going to commit to see how good of a player he can be, so I’m excited about it.”
This time final yr, Fisch had his palms full when it comes to merely fielding a full roster for the spring sport in his first yr as Washington’s coach. At no place was that felt greater than offensive line, as a result of the Huskies had simply seven offensive linemen out there for the spring sport final Might.
On Wednesday, Fisch mentioned he anticipated 17 offensive linemen would be capable of take part.
“The difference is — I mean it’s even hard to describe because No. 1, they look better,” Fisch mentioned. “Their size is better. They’re moving better. They’re playing at a really high level as a group.”
Fisch highlighted the addition of Carver Willis, a sixth-year offensive sort out who spent the final 5 seasons at Kansas State. Willis was an honorable point out All-Large 12 participant in 2024.
“Big get for us on the offensive line,” Fisch mentioned. “He’s certainly shown to be everything that we thought he was going to be.”
Native product Rahshawn Clark, who went to Garfield Excessive College, has stood out to Fisch forward of his redshirt freshman season. Fisch envisions Clark, who’s listed as a security, enjoying a superb quantity of nickelback whereas Tacario Davis and Ephesians Prysock are the projected beginning cornerbacks.
“I’m proud of the way he’s playing,” Fisch mentioned, “and I think he’s going to be a really, really good player for us.”
Final yr, the Huskies’ protection was twenty eighth within the nation in whole yards towards per sport (328.4).
Fisch shall be joined by a pair of recent coordinators this fall.
Jimmie Dougherty, who was the passing sport coordinator and QB coach at Washington final yr, is now the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Former Purdue coach Ryan Walters, who went 5-19 throughout two seasons main the Boilermakers, is the brand new defensive coordinator.
Dougherty is taking on for Brennan Carroll, whereas Walters is assuming the place beforehand held by Stephen Belichick. Each Carroll and Belichick are following their fathers to their subsequent teaching alternatives.
