The Washington Huskies football team's quarterback position was one of the biggest topic of conversation as it pertains to college football for 48 hours.

Days after signing a contract to return to the Huskies for 2026, Williams announced on social media his intention to enter the transfer portal. Two days after that announcement on social media the sophomore signal-caller announced he reversed his decision to enter the portal and he would be returning  to UW this upcoming year.

Williams' reversal came after reports circulated Washington planned to enforce the contract the quarterback signed prior.

The Huskies' brief quarterback controversy created questions as to what the program would do in 2026. Even those Williams will be back with the team, Washington added some coverage in the quarterback room just in case something else unexpected happens.

Stanford transfer quarterback Elijah Brown, who played his redshirt freshman season with the Cardinal this past season, transferred to UW on Jan. 26. He'll serve as Williams' backup in 2026.

Brown was originally a four-star recruit out of Santa Ana, Calif., in the class of 2024. He received an offer from the Huskies during his recruitment. He was ranked as the 16th-best quarterback in the country according to the 247Sports Composite.

Brown redshirted after receiving some playing time his true freshman year in 2024.

In Brown's redshirt freshman season in 2025, he played six games and completed 58.3% of his passes for 829 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.

Stanford was 2-4 in the six games in which Brown played.

In the modern era of college football, it's rare to see a former high-end recruit transfer to a place they don't have an immediate opportunity to start. But Brown still has value beyond him being a potential starter.

Outside of Williams, none of the other quarterbacks on Washington's roster has attempted a pass in a college football game. Three-star 2026 recruit Derek Zammit is new to the program. Redshirt freshmen Dash Beierly and Treston "Kini" McMillan's made their respective college football debuts in the team's 38-10 Los Angeles Bowl win against the Boise State Broncos on Dec. 13 but handed the ball off.

Brown provides the Huskies a backup quarterback with game experience. If Williams leaves for the NFL Draft or via the transfer portal after the upcoming season, Brown also gives Washington a veteran front runner if it opens up the quarterback position for competition.

If a new quarterback lines up under center in 2027, Brown could also be a fallback if the initial winner of the hypothetical competition is one of the inexperienced signal-callers.

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