There’s no doubt about who will be under center when Washington opens the 2025 season against Colorado State at Husky Stadium on August 30—Demond Williams Jr. is firmly established as the Huskies’ starting quarterback. His rise to the top was evident during the 2024 season as he split drives with veteran Will Rogers, and it was solidified by a standout performance in Washington’s narrow 35–34 loss to Louisville in the Sun Bowl.
However, the battle for the backup quarterback spot behind Williams remains wide open.
“As of now, all four guys are in the mix,” head coach Jedd Fisch said regarding the competition for the No. 2 job.
Washington is in a better spot depth-wise than it was a year ago, when the team entered the season with just three scholarship quarterbacks. Returning junior Shea Kuykendall is back, and the Huskies brought in two early-enrolled freshmen—Dash Beierly and Treston “Kini” McMillan—as part of their 2025 recruiting class. Another contender joined the room on January 28, when fifth-year quarterback Kai Horton transferred in from Tulane.
“It’s a group full of fresh faces,” said offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jimmie Dougherty. He emphasized that the backup must possess the same traits as a starter: efficiency, ball security, strong preparation habits, and a willingness to learn.
Of the four candidates, Kuykendall has the most experience in Fisch’s system. The 6-foot-1, 203-pound junior previously played at Northern Colorado, where he started three games in 2023 and threw for 454 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He didn’t see any action for the Huskies in 2024.
Beierly arrives from powerhouse Mater Dei High School in California, where he threw for 2,175 yards and 26 touchdowns with just two interceptions during his senior year. The 6-1, 215-pounder also added 447 rushing yards and five scores.
McMillan brings upside as well, despite being hampered by injuries late in his high school career. During a healthy junior year at Mililani High in Hawaii, the 6-foot, 200-pounder put up 3,521 passing yards and 42 touchdowns, along with 575 rushing yards and 11 scores.
Both freshmen have impressed early, with Dougherty noting they’ve been quick to pick up the playbook and Fisch commending their early adjustment to college football.
Horton adds an experienced presence to the room. At 6-4 and 220 pounds, he appeared in 13 games over four seasons at Tulane, throwing for 833 yards and six touchdowns. He chose Washington over offers from Ole Miss and North Texas, citing the opportunity to learn from Fisch and grow as a quarterback.
“I was told I’d have a chance to compete,” Horton said.
He hopes to serve as a mentor for the younger QBs, much like Will Rogers did for Williams last season. Horton credited former Tulane teammate Michael Pratt for teaching him the importance of preparation, attention to detail, and professionalism—traits he now looks to pass along.
“Those little things matter,” Horton said. “If a coach can’t trust you with the details, how can they trust you in a high-pressure moment, like fourth-and-goal?”
Dougherty said Horton came highly recommended by Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall, a close friend, who praised his competitiveness and football IQ. Williams has already seen Horton’s positive impact on the quarterback room.
While Horton is still getting used to the city of Seattle and learning the offense, he’s embracing the challenge. “Coach Fisch expects us to read the entire defense—full-field, progression, one-high or two-high reads,” Horton said. “That level of coaching is a big reason why I came here.”