The "Wild West" of college football has officially moved from the playing field to the courtroom.

Just days after putting pen to paper on a lucrative deal to remain the face of the program, Washington star quarterback Demond Williams Jr. sent shockwaves through the Big Ten on Tuesday night by announcing his intent to enter the transfer portal. The decision has sparked a potential landmark legal battle, with the University of Washington indicating it has no intention of letting its signal-caller walk away without a fight.

According to sources close to the negotiations, the sophomore sensation signed a legally binding revenue-share contract on Jan. 2—a deal ESPN reports was "near the top of the market."

"I have to do what is best for me and my future," Williams wrote in an Instagram post. "After much thought and prayer, I will be entering the transfer portal."

While players entering the portal is now a seasonal norm, the Huskies are drawing a line in the turf. University officials told The Athletic that they view the Jan. 2 agreement as an enforceable contract. Yahoo Sports reports that the school is already prepping for legal action, seeking to enforce the terms of the revenue-share deal, which was designed to anchor Williams in Seattle for the 2026 season.

The dispute highlights a growing tension in the new era of collegiate athletics. Unlike traditional scholarships, these new revenue-sharing contracts—often drafted with assistance from the Big Ten—are being treated by schools as professional employment agreements.

The Big Ten is reportedly monitoring the situation closely, having previously supported Wisconsin in a similar dispute involving defensive back Xavier Lucas last year.

Williams is entering the portal with a "do-not-contact" tag, a move that typically signals a player already has a destination in mind. Sources told CBS Sports that LSU has emerged as the primary team to watch.

The Tigers are in desperate need of a dual-threat playmaker after Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss opted to stay with the Rebels. For Williams, a move to Baton Rouge would mean a potential reunion with the SEC, the conference he initially committed to (via Ole Miss) during his high school recruitment.

If Williams departs, the Huskies lose a player who was arguably the most efficient young quarterback in the country last season. In 2025, Williams:

• Passed for 3,065 yards and 25 touchdowns.
• Rushed for 611 yards and six scores.
• Led Washington to a 9-4 record and an LA Bowl victory.

Head coach Jedd Fisch, who also shares an agent with Williams at Wasserman Football, has previously lauded the 19-year-old as "the best player I’ve ever been around," even projecting him as a future Heisman finalist in New York City.

As of Wednesday morning, Williams had not yet filed official paperwork with Washington’s compliance office. If he proceeds, the ensuing legal battle could set a massive precedent for whether "legally binding" really means anything in a landscape defined by constant movement.