The ongoing NIL contract saga of Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. has taken yet another turn.
Would you believe that Williams, who reportedly backed out of his NIL contract with Washington just days ago, is thinking about going back to the Huskies? That’s what is being reported on Thursday night.
What’s the Latest on QB Demond Williams Jr.?
Update: Demond Williams Jr. released a statement announcing his return to Washington within the hour of this article being published.
ESPN college football reporter Pete Thamel appeared on ESPN’s “College GameDay” ahead of Thursday night’s College Football Playoff semifinal between the Oregon Ducks and Ole Miss Rebels. Thamel shared what he’s learned about the Williams situation at this time.
Here’s our @CollegeGameDay hit that includes UW QB Demond Williams leaning to returning to Washington. Decision is imminent. pic.twitter.com/sSYZG9iwmH
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 9, 2026
In his report, according to a post on X from Houston Sports Talk 790 host Chris Gordy, Thamel indicated that Williams is leaning toward returning to Washington.
“Wow, Pete Thamel reporting Demond Williams is leaning toward returning to Washington,” Gordy wrote. “That won’t be awkward.”
Wow, Pete Thamel reporting Demond Williams is leaning toward returning to Washington. That won’t be awkward.
— Chris Gordy (@ChrisGordy) January 9, 2026
Additional reporting from University of Washington reporter Christian Caple, who writes for On Montlake, provided further insights into Thamel’s reporting.
“Pete Thamel just reported on ESPN that Demond Williams Jr. is ‘leaning toward returning’ to Washington,” Caple wrote on X. “Says ‘it’s not done,’ and ‘the decision is imminent, not final.'” According to the PFSN CFB QB Impact metrics, Williams had an impact score of 87.8 and graded out to a B+.
Williams’ saga has been covered in the college football world as everyone, from coaches to university presidents, navigates this new territory of NIL contracts. Williams’ decision to back out of his deal with Washington has led some to believe he had been tampered with to cause his shift.
Some reports suggested that LSU, under new head coach Lane Kiffin, might have been involved with Williams. But, if Thamel’s reporting is to be believed, Williams is changing heart.
One significant factor possibly contributing to Williams’ indecision at this time may be that his representation has severed contact with the quarterback.
When Williams decided to re-enter the transfer portal, Doug Hendrickson, who is executive vice president of talent management company Wasserman, dropped Williams. Hendrickson’s company had helped Williams get his deal with the Huskies’ football program.
In light of all these moving parts in the Williams saga, Williams has reportedly retained Florida-based attorney Darren Heitner as legal counsel.