The Demond Williams story has taken the college football world by storm. The Washington QB shocked everyone when he announced his decision to enter the transfer portal on Tuesday night, just days after he had agreed to return to the Huskies for his junior season.
Sam Leavitt must make quick LSU decision with new star QB entering the transfer portal
LSU appears to be very interested in bringing Williams to Baton Rouge. After missing out on former Cincinnati QB Brendan Sorsby, Lane Kiffin is still looking for his QB1 for 2026. Sorsby ultimately chose to attend Texas Tech, and ESPN's Pete Thamel has reported that Sorsby's total NIL compensation is expected to be north of $5 million. With Sam Leavitt still undecided, early rumors indicate that Kiffin and LSU could be offering Williams even more than that.
Could Demond Williams be LSU bound?
Early on in Williams' portal decision-making process, LSU appears to be one of the frontrunners to be his landing spot. That could come with a historically big price tag. According to 14-year NFL veteran and current ESPN college football analyst Chase Daniel, Kiffin and LSU could offer Williams close to $6 million for his services.
If Williams does indeed get $6 million from LSU, he would make more money than over a dozen starting QBs in the NFL. According to Yahoo! Sports, Sorsby's NIL package of $5+ million is more than what over a dozen NFL starting QBs made this season. Williams potentially getting $6 million from LSU would further widen the financial divide between top-tier college QBs and the NFL's lower-paid QBs.
The drama surrounding the Williams to LSU situation is heightened even more considering the fact that Sam Leavitt has been in Baton Rouge visiting LSU over the last couple days.
Leavitt has been Kiffin's top target since Sorsby committed to Texas Tech, and when the news of Williams hitting the portal broke, the former Arizona State QB was courtside at the PMAC with Kiffin and Whit Weeks watching the LSU men's basketball game. Leavitt has yet to make a decision, but with the Williams news, he could be forced to make that decision sooner rather than later.