Williams Jr. Lands On Manning Award Watch List
August 24, 2026 | Football
SEATTLE – Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. earns his fourth preseason honor after being named to the Manning Award watch list on Monday morning.
Williams Jr. has also been named to the Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Gold Arm Award and Davey O'Brien Award preseason watch lists.
Williams Jr. started in every game during the 2025 season and has appeared in every game throughout his two seasons on Montlake. The third-year quarterback earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by the coaches last season after compiling 3,065 yards, 25 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions and was named the Offensive MVP of the L.A. Bowl. In the game versus the Rutgers last season, Williams Jr. became the first Husky, second Big Ten player and 16th quarterback in FBS history to pass for 400 yards and rush for 100 in the same game. He also broke the UW record for single-game total offense with 538, breaking the mark of 529 set by Michael Penix Jr. in 2022.
Last season, Williams Jr. earned the Manning Award Star of the Week honors twice.
Prior to the 2004 college football season, the Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl® in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only college football quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting; therefore, it is presented annually following the completion of the College Football Playoff and Bowl Season.
In addition to the Manning Award's yearly honor, each week during the regular season, eight quarterbacks are recognized as Manning Awards Stars of the Week.
Washington Preseason Watch Lists
Dodd Trophy – Jedd Fisch
Allstate Good Works Team – Landen Hatchett
Maxwell Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Rimington Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Lou Groza Award – Tyler Robles
John Mackey Award – Decker DeGraaf
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Butkus Award – Xe'ree Alexander
Ray Guy Award – Hunter Green
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Davey O'Brien – Demond Williams Jr.
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year – Jacob Manu
Comeback Player of the Year Award – Charlie Crowell, Kade Eldridge, Rashid Williams, Trey Cooley
Manning Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Williams Jr. has also been named to the Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Gold Arm Award and Davey O'Brien Award preseason watch lists.
Williams Jr. started in every game during the 2025 season and has appeared in every game throughout his two seasons on Montlake. The third-year quarterback earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by the coaches last season after compiling 3,065 yards, 25 touchdown passes to just eight interceptions and was named the Offensive MVP of the L.A. Bowl. In the game versus the Rutgers last season, Williams Jr. became the first Husky, second Big Ten player and 16th quarterback in FBS history to pass for 400 yards and rush for 100 in the same game. He also broke the UW record for single-game total offense with 538, breaking the mark of 529 set by Michael Penix Jr. in 2022.
Last season, Williams Jr. earned the Manning Award Star of the Week honors twice.
Prior to the 2004 college football season, the Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl® in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning. It is the only college football quarterback award that includes the candidates' bowl performances in its balloting; therefore, it is presented annually following the completion of the College Football Playoff and Bowl Season.
In addition to the Manning Award's yearly honor, each week during the regular season, eight quarterbacks are recognized as Manning Awards Stars of the Week.
Washington Preseason Watch Lists
Dodd Trophy – Jedd Fisch
Allstate Good Works Team – Landen Hatchett
Maxwell Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Rimington Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Lou Groza Award – Tyler Robles
John Mackey Award – Decker DeGraaf
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy – Landen Hatchett
Butkus Award – Xe'ree Alexander
Ray Guy Award – Hunter Green
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award – Demond Williams Jr.
Davey O'Brien – Demond Williams Jr.
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year – Jacob Manu
Comeback Player of the Year Award – Charlie Crowell, Kade Eldridge, Rashid Williams, Trey Cooley
Manning Award – Demond Williams Jr.
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