Demond Williams Jr. is going to carry a heavy load for Washington this season, and the Huskies know it.
That’s the central truth behind Roman Tomashoff’s recent look at what has to go right for Washington to win at a high level. Williams is the kind of quarterback who can tilt a season, and for a Huskies team trying to solve some real issues away from Husky Stadium, his play may be the biggest swing factor on the roster.
Tomashoff pointed to the Oct. 3 matchup with the Trojans as a key test for Washington’s ability to handle the road, especially after the Huskies struggled in that area over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. That game, he wrote, will be an important measuring stick for a young team trying to prove it can travel and still perform.
The path starts with Williams. Washington averaged just 9.3 points per game and 4.3 yards per play in its four losses last year, and that kind of production won’t cut it in the games that matter most. Tomashoff also noted that Fisch has repeatedly said his junior quarterback has to deliver in the biggest moments, particularly now that Washington is searching for new answers after running back Jonah Coleman and wide receiver Denzel Boston moved on to the NFL.
So the pressure is clear. The Huskies have two major obstacles sitting right in front of them this season, and Williams is the player who will determine how far they can push through them. In the toughest road games, he’s going to have to play like a Heisman candidate.
That same expectation will apply to Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava, who will be just as central to USC’s chances. Both quarterbacks will be at the heart of this matchup and, more broadly, the success of their teams.
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Savages rise fits the larger theme of the offseason: USC is trying to strengthen the defense without losing the staff members who have helped build relationships and keep the roster moving forward. Trovon Reed, the cornerbacks coach, was also retained, a sign the Trojans did not want to lose the recruiting momentum and player trust he has built. With Patterson setting the tone on one side of the ball and familiar lieutenants staying in place around him, Riley is trying to strike the balance between a fresh start and continuity, and that is exactly the kind of staff construction fans usually want to see. [Read more 🡒]
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For Tuaone, this decision is shaping up around the kind of things elite receivers tend to remember: coaching relationships, the feel of a program, and how each staff fits him long term. Miami has been making a strong case with its ties close to home, while USC is trying to stand its ground in a battle that has already seen the Hurricanes track another former Trojans target. [Read more 🡒]
USC Has A New Penn State Threat To Worry About
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Jacksons path is a little different from the usual freshman arrival, since he followed coach Campbell from Iowa State to Penn State after flipping his pledge. He has also turned heads in spring work, which only adds to the sense that he could be one of the more important new pieces in Penn States offense when the matchup with USC eventually comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]