The Washington Huskies quarterback room just got a little deeper - and a whole lot more interesting.
After a whirlwind week that saw starting quarterback Demond Williams Jr. briefly flirt with the transfer portal before deciding to stay in Seattle, the Huskies have added insurance under center with the transfer of former Stanford QB Elijah Brown. Brown, a redshirt freshman in 2025, brings both pedigree and experience to a quarterback room that suddenly looks a lot more stable heading into the 2026 season.
Let’s unpack what this means for Washington.
Williams Stays - But Not Without Drama
It’s been a rollercoaster few days for Husky fans. Williams, who had just signed a contract to return for the 2026 season, surprisingly announced he was entering the transfer portal.
But just 48 hours later, he reversed course and confirmed he’d be back. That about-face came amid reports that Washington intended to enforce the terms of his signed contract.
With Williams back in the fold, the Huskies retain their starting quarterback - a dynamic, dual-threat playmaker who showed flashes of high-level potential last season. But the brief uncertainty surrounding his status exposed just how thin the depth chart was behind him.
Enter Elijah Brown
That’s where Elijah Brown comes in. The former four-star recruit out of Santa Ana, California, officially joined the Huskies on January 26, transferring in from Stanford. While he’s expected to serve as Williams’ backup in 2026, Brown’s arrival gives Washington something it didn’t have before: a second quarterback with real game experience.
Brown was a top-20 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, ranked No. 16 nationally by the 247Sports Composite. Washington had offered him during his recruitment, but he ultimately chose Stanford, where he saw action in his true freshman year before redshirting.
In 2025, Brown played in six games for the Cardinal, completing 58.3% of his passes for 829 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. Stanford went 2-4 in those games, but Brown showed poise and flashes of the arm talent that made him such a highly regarded recruit.
Why This Move Matters
In today’s college football landscape, it’s not often you see a former blue-chip quarterback transfer to a new school without a clear path to the starting job. But Brown’s move to Washington isn’t just about 2026 - it’s about positioning himself for what comes next.
Behind Williams, the Huskies’ QB depth was largely untested. Three-star freshman Derek Zammit is new to the program. Redshirt freshmen Dash Beierly and Treston "Kini" McMillan made their college debuts in the Huskies’ 38-10 Los Angeles Bowl win over Boise State, but neither attempted a pass - both simply handed the ball off in mop-up duty.
Brown changes that equation. He gives Washington a backup with real in-game experience - someone who’s been in the fire and knows what it takes to lead an offense at the Power Five level. And if Williams decides to declare for the NFL Draft or re-enters the portal after the season, Brown could be the next man up in a full-blown quarterback competition.
Looking Ahead
For now, the Huskies have their starter in Williams and a capable, experienced backup in Brown. That’s a luxury in college football - especially in an era where quarterback movement is more fluid than ever.
Elijah Brown may not be the headline name just yet, but don’t be surprised if his presence becomes a key storyline for Washington down the line. Whether he’s called upon in 2026 or steps into a bigger role in 2027, the Huskies just added a valuable piece to their quarterback puzzle.