Washington has secured what appears to be its next answer at quarterback.
Head coach Jedd Fisch officially added former Stanford starter through the transfer portal on Monday, giving the Huskies an experienced signal-caller and a potential future replacement for Demond Williams Jr.
Elijah Brown, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback, transferred to Washington after two seasons at Stanford. He finished the 2025 season as the Cardinal’s starting quarterback and brings proven game experience to Seattle. Although listed as a three-star transfer by 247Sports, Brown was a four-star recruit out of high school and a four-year starter at national powerhouse Mater Dei High School.
The move aligns directly with Fisch’s stated goal of adding experienced depth behind the starter. While Washington had confidence in its returning backup quarterbacks, Brown’s addition signals a clear upgrade in readiness and competition at the position.
During the 2025 season, Brown took over Stanford’s offense in November, starting the final three games. He completed 74 of 127 passes for 829 yards, throwing four touchdowns against two interceptions, establishing himself as a capable Power Five starter.
Brown is expected to serve as Washington’s QB2 in 2026, but his arrival also positions him as the frontrunner to replace Williams Jr. once the current starter moves on. Fisch’s development-first philosophy suggests the Huskies view Brown as more than just a short-term backup.
A two-time California state champion at Mater Dei, Brown has earned praise for his accuracy, anticipation, composure, and underrated athleticism. With eligibility remaining, Washington now has a clear succession plan at quarterback.
Williams Jr. remains the starter, but with Elijah Brown now in place, the Huskies have already locked in their next option under center.
