In the sweltering Louisiana summer heat, the Manning Passing Academy transforms young quarterbacks into stars. This year’s four-day camp, featuring the Nike Quarterback Challenge and the Riddell Air-It-Out Exhibition, crowned a new champion. Demond Williams Jr., Washington’s sophomore sensation, emerged victorious from a field of the nation’s elite college quarterbacks, continuing a tradition of Husky excellence at this prestigious event.
Demond Williams Jr. Wins Air-It-Out Challenge at Manning Academy
Williams claimed the Air-It-Out challenge victory while competing alongside the Manning family and top college quarterbacks from across the nation. The sophomore clutched a black helmet signed by Archie, Peyton, Eli, and Cooper Manning, marking his arrival among college football’s quarterback elite.
UW QB Demond Williams Jr. wins the Air-It-Out challenge at the Manning Passing Academy
Michael Penix Jr. won the competition before the 2023 season pic.twitter.com/IwWxTGWXkE
— Andy Yamashita | 山下伸幸 (@ANYamashita) June 28, 2025
This victory places Williams in distinguished company. Two years ago, Michael Penix Jr. captured the same title before leading Washington to the National Championship game. Now playing for the Atlanta Falcons, Penix demonstrated how success at the Manning Academy can foreshadow greatness.
Williams’ path to Seattle began at Basha High School in Arizona, where the four-star prospect dominated prep football. After enrolling early at the University of Arizona in January 2024, his collegiate journey took an unexpected turn. When head coach Jedd Fisch departed for Washington, Williams entered the transfer portal and followed his mentor to Seattle without playing a single snap for the Wildcats.
The decision proved wise. As a true freshman with the Huskies, Williams showcased his dual-threat abilities, throwing for 944 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 282 yards on the ground. His most memorable performance came in the Sun Bowl against Louisville, where he orchestrated an offensive explosion that announced his arrival on the national stage.
At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Williams defies the prototypical power-conference quarterback mold. Yet his performance at Thibodaux, Louisiana, proved size matters little when competing against the nation’s best. Standing alongside highly touted quarterbacks like LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, Williams outperformed them all in the accuracy competition.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Williams returns to Seattle as the presumptive starter for a Huskies team with championship aspirations. The 2025 season opener against Colorado State on August 30 marks the beginning of what many expect to be a breakout campaign.
The schedule provides both opportunity and challenge. After hosting UC Davis on September 6, the Huskies face a bye week before traveling to Pullman for the Apple Cup rivalry game against Washington State on September 20. The true test arrives September 27 when Ohio State visits Seattle, offering Williams a chance to prove himself against the defending national champions.
With Coach Fisch’s offensive system tailored to his skillset and a year of experience under his belt, Williams appears poised to lead the Huskies back to prominence. His Manning Academy triumph serves as both validation of his talent and a preview of what Washington fans can expect when the lights shine brightest.
