on Instagram<\/a> that transferring was \u201cbest for me and my future.\u201d<\/p>\nWashington has no intention of releasing Williams from the contract he signed on Jan. 2, a source told The Athletic. The dispute could lead to a messy debate over the circumstances surrounding Williams\u2019 status.<\/p>\n
There have been several recent examples of schools pushing back against player transfers. After cornerback Xavier Lucas transferred from Wisconsin to Miami, Wisconsin said Lucas had entered into a \u201cbinding two-year NIL agreement\u201d that included \u201csubstantial financial compensation\u201d and allegedly attempted to prevent him from transferring. Georgia\u2019s athletic department is also seeking $390,000 from former defensive end Damon Wilson II, claiming his transfer to Missouri terminated his name, image and likeness agreement with the Bulldogs\u2019 collective.<\/p>\n
After committing to Arizona out of high school, Williams followed coach Jedd Fisch to Seattle two years ago. He started the 2025 season, with Fisch not holding back the hype for his quarterback entering the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would probably say, at this age, not even 19, he\u2019s the best player I\u2019ve ever been around,\u201d Fisch said on the Until Saturday podcast last spring. \u201c\u2026 My goal from when I started recruiting him in high school and I told him this, we\u2019re going to partner up and find a way to be in New York City when it\u2019s time for the Heisman.\u201d<\/p>\n
Williams threw for 4,009 yards and 33 touchdowns against nine interceptions while adding 893 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in 26 career games at Washington. In his first season as the starter this year, he passed for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns, earning All\u2013Big Ten honorable mention honors.<\/p>\n
After a four-touchdown performance in Washington\u2019s blowout win over Boise State in the Bucked Up LA Bowl, Williams seemed poised to be one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten this year.<\/p>\n
Now Williams says he is moving on. Williams is entering the portal with a do-not-contact tag, according to ESPN, meaning Williams likely already has a landing spot in mind. Notable schools that are currently or could be in the quarterback market include LSU, Miami and potentially Oregon. He instantly becomes one of the top players available in the transfer market.<\/p>\n
Washington, which played in the 2023 national championship game under Kalen DeBoer, is 15-11 in the last two years under Fisch, including 9-4 this past season. This would be a major loss for the program.<\/p>\n