Stanford transfer quarterback Elijah Brown is expected to start for the University of Washington on Friday night against Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana, after stepping in for injured starter Demond Williams Jr. during the Huskies' 41-24 loss to Iowa.
Brown, a third-year player, completed 28 of 39 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns in a little more than a half against the Hawkeyes, according to Sports Illustrated. The performance came in just his second appearance in Washington's first six games and gave Husky fans their first real look at a passer many are now clamoring to see full time.
What Elijah Brown Did Against Iowa
The Hawkeyes handled Washington comfortably on the road, and the loss dropped the Huskies to a three-game skid. But Brown's relief work stood out on an otherwise rough night for the home team in Seattle. Williams, who is dealing with what Sports Illustrated described as a significant rib injury, looked uncomfortable and could not generate much of anything before Brown took over.
Washington coach Jedd Fisch praised Brown's composure in the loss.
“Very quick decision-making,” Fisch said, according to Sports Illustrated. “I thought he had command.”
USA Today reported that Brown also added a two-point conversion to his stat line and noted the passer went 42-2 as a starter at Mater Dei, the California high school powerhouse. USA Today's coverage of Brown's Friday showing framed the obvious question now facing Fisch: is Brown the long-term answer in Seattle?
For Iowa fans, the game is already part of a bigger story. The Hawkeyes improved to 5-1 with the win, and Iowa's playoff case now rests heavily on the run game, as we covered earlier this season. Iowa is eyeing a College Football Playoff berth after the road upset.
Who Is Elijah Brown?
Brown's path to this moment has been anything but smooth. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback started four seasons at Mater Dei High School in Los Angeles, one of the most successful prep programs in the country, but the jump to college starting jobs has been harder.
At Stanford, his first career start as a freshman in 2024 went poorly. Brown struggled to move the team against Wake Forest, threw two interceptions in three series, one negated by penalty, and was pulled in the first quarter with the Cardinal trailing 14-0. Stanford lost 27-24.
He spent that season mostly backing up Ashton Daniels, now at Florida State, and Justin Lamson, now at Montana State. A year later, Brown drew starts against North Carolina, California and Notre Dame to close the season and won only the Bay Area rivalry game against California, while more often serving as the backup to Ben Gulbranson, who has since exhausted his eligibility.
Brown appeared in nine games for Stanford over two seasons before entering the transfer portal.
Why Brown Chose Washington
According to Sports Illustrated, Brown left Stanford because he was facing his third head coach in three seasons and wanted continuity. He was surrounded in Palo Alto by former Stanford and NFL quarterback Andrew Luck, who serves as the Cardinal's general manager, and former NFL coach Frank Reich, who was Stanford's interim head coach last season.
Fisch said that background, and Reich's influence in particular, made Brown attractive in the portal.
“I do believe in Frank Reich, so I believe he's been trained very similarly in a lot of ways,” Fisch said, according to Sports Illustrated. “When he was available in the portal, I felt like he gave us the best chance.”
Brown said he wanted a place that felt like home and a pro-style offense he could run at a high level.
“Somewhere that kind of felt like home and I could develop and become a better quarterback,” Brown said, according to Sports Illustrated. “Learn a pro-style offense that can execute at a high level. Just somewhere where I fit in.”
What to Expect Friday Night Against Purdue
Fisch has tried to keep the spotlight off the quarterback race and on the opponent. Purdue enters the game 3-3 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play, and the Boilermakers are much improved from recent seasons.
“Elijah just needs to go out there and play the best Elijah football he can play,” Fisch said, according to Sports Illustrated.
Brown himself saw the moment coming. Back in August, after a fall camp practice in Husky Stadium, he told local media that reserves always have to be ready.
“Things happen in football, so there's always opportunities,” Brown said.
Those words proved prophetic. Williams went down, Brown got his shot, and now the former Mater Dei star will likely get the first extended starting opportunity of his college career, with a chance to end Washington's losing streak and restart his own career at the same time.
For Iowa supporters, the subplot is a familiar one. The Hawkeyes' defense is the reason Brown entered the game in the first place, and the win over Washington was a key part of the resume that has Iowa sitting near the top of the Big Ten standings in late October.
FAQ
Is Elijah Brown starting for Washington against Purdue?
Yes. According to Sports Illustrated, Brown is expected to be tabbed as the Huskies' starting quarterback for Friday night's game at Purdue, replacing the injured Demond Williams Jr.
How did Elijah Brown play against Iowa?
Brown completed 28 of 39 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns in a little more than a half of relief work during Washington's 41-24 loss to Iowa on the road, according to Sports Illustrated and USA Today.
Where did Elijah Brown play before Washington?
Brown played two seasons at Stanford, appearing in nine games, and started four seasons at Mater Dei High School in Los Angeles before that.