Washington · Big TenWashington’s offensive reset puts Demond Williams on another major award watchlist
Williams enters his third season after leading the Big Ten in total yardage, but Washington must replace its top rusher, top receiver and starting left tackle. The award attention raises the quarterback’s profile while the Huskies rebuild the support around him.
AUG 21, 2026
Washington’s position in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll.
Total yards Demond Williams Jr. produced in his first full season as Washington’s starter.
The number of interceptions Williams threw for every three touchdown passes is not provided as a ratio, but he had eight interceptions against 31 total touchdowns.
01 · The NewsWhat Happened
Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. was named to the Davey O’Brien Award watchlist, joining 29 other quarterbacks under consideration for the honor given annually to the best player in college football. Williams is one of six Big Ten quarterbacks on the list. The others are Rocco Becht of Penn State, Julian Sayin of Ohio State, Dante Moore of Oregon, Josh Hoover of Indiana and Jayden Maiava of Southern California. Williams was also named to the Maxwell Award watchlist. He enters his third season after starting his first full year at quarterback. Williams completed 69.5% of his passes for 3,065 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He added 611 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 143 carries.
02 · The StakesWhy This One Matters
The award attention reflects what Williams did with the ball last season. He led the Big Ten in total yardage and finished with 3,676 yards from scrimmage. That production gives Washington a quarterback with a real résumé, not a preseason name attached to a projection. The harder part is what surrounds him now. Starting left tackle Carver Willis, leading receiver Denzel Boston and leading rusher Jonah Coleman were all drafted into the NFL this offseason. Williams gets the attention, but his next season starts with three major pieces gone.
03 · The Detail Beneath the HeadlineWhat Most People Are Missing
The headline is another watchlist. The football question is whether Washington can replace the certainty those three departures gave the offense. Willis protected the left side. Boston was the leading receiver. Coleman led the ground game. Those jobs don’t transfer cleanly because the names change. Five-star 2026 offensive lineman Kodi Greene is set to take over at left tackle, but the source does not identify the replacements at receiver or running back. Williams’ production gives the Huskies a strong starting point. It doesn’t answer who will turn his passes into yards or keep pressure off the quarterback when the offense needs a short gain.
“The Huskies can be ranked 17th and still have a real replacement problem.”
The Wire Desk04 · The PersonnelWhere This Leaves the Roster
Washington’s roster now has a clear center and several open edges. Williams returns after producing 3,676 total yards, while the offense loses its leading rusher, leading receiver and starting left tackle. That puts more of the early burden on the quarterback, though the source does not establish how the replacement battles will end at running back or receiver. Kodi Greene is set to take over at left tackle. That’s the one replacement named in the report. The other two spots are still questions. The projection is straightforward: if Greene settles in and Washington finds reliable answers at the skill positions, Williams has the production to keep the offense moving. If those answers don’t arrive, the award watchlists will matter less than the third-down snaps created by the players who left.
05 · The ThesisThe Pate State Read
The watchlist is fair. Williams earned it. He led the Big Ten in total yardage during his first full season as the starter, completed nearly 70% of his passes and accounted for 31 touchdowns. That’s enough to put his name in this conversation. It’s also the wrong place to stop. Washington isn’t asking Williams to repeat last year with the same cast. Willis, Boston and Coleman are gone. Greene is the named answer at left tackle, while the source leaves the backfield and receiver spots open. That makes Williams the known piece in an offense with several unknowns around him. The Huskies can be ranked 17th and still have a real replacement problem. His award case will be tested by the first stretch when a new running back, a new receiver and a new tackle all have to win the same snap.
06 · The Watch ListWhat We're Watching
Who replaces Jonah Coleman?
The source identifies Washington’s leading rusher as an NFL departure but names no replacement. The next depth-chart update will show whether the Huskies have a clear answer or a running-back competition.
Who replaces Denzel Boston?
Boston’s departure removes the team’s leading receiver. The key report will be which player takes the top receiving role and whether Washington’s target distribution changes around Williams.
How quickly does Kodi Greene settle at left tackle?
Greene is set to take over for Carver Willis. Early practice reports and lineup decisions will show whether Washington has a settled answer on Williams’ blind side.
Does Williams’ production carry over?
Williams’ 2025 output earned two major award watchlist spots. His passing efficiency and rushing workload in the opening games will show whether the offense can replace production around him.