“There is definitely a competition for number two [quarterback].” The words of quarterbacks coach JP Losman after the team’s second scrimmage, one week before the spring game, indicate that Washington’s backup quarterback battle between Stanford transfer Elijah Brown and redshirt freshman Kini McMillan is strong. On Friday night, under the lights of Husky Stadium, both Brown and McMillan had their opportunities to put a punctuation mark on their spring performances.
The roster was evenly split between the two teams, and Brown was the “starter” for the gold team. McMillan was the second-string player for the purple team, behind Demond Williams, and he was live for contact.
Washington’s Backup Quarterback
Elijah Brown’s Experience
“Elijah Brown comes with a ton of playing experience,” Jedd Fisch said of his quarterback. “Not only is he one of two people that have ever been a four-year starter at Mater Dei [High School], but he also started at Stanford.” Brown will be a redshirt sophomore this season after playing in six games for the Cardinal a year ago, starting three. He completed 74 passes for 829 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. “Elijah has a lot of experience,” Fisch continued. “Which is what we’re looking for to mix in with guys that have no college football experience.”
And upon arriving on campus this spring, Brown quickly began to pick up the offense. Said Fisch, “He’s learned the system very well. He’s smart, picked things up quickly.” Inside the quarterbacks’ room, Losman has seen Brown acclimate to the new offense up close, and his teammates are taking note. “[Brown] has got everyone kind of juiced up in that quarterback room like, ‘Oh my gosh, how has this kid been able to pick up the offense that fast?’” Losman said this spring.
Quarterback Traits
Brown’s skill set is that of a pocket passer. He’s 6’-2” and has put on tape his ability to stand tall in the face of pressure and deliver accurate passes. During his 2025 season in Palo Alto, Brown scrambled on just three of the 56 times he was pressured in the pocket (5.3%).
For comparison, Williams scrambled 65 times on 184 pressures for Washington a year ago (35.3%). It’s worth noting that Brown had much less time in the pocket on average compared to Williams (2.49 seconds compared to 3.21 seconds). And it’s a smaller sample set for Brown on the year. But overall, he’s not going to look to run until it’s absolutely necessary. He relies on his decision-making and accuracy downfield.
Coaches’ Evaluation
“[I] couldn’t be more happy with [Brown] right now coming in, learning the offense,” Losman said of the Stanford transfer this spring. “Man, we put him in there, sink or swim, into the fire, and he has responded in a big way.”
In the two spring scrimmages, Brown unofficially completed 10 passes for a combined 110 yards and a touchdown. That included three explosive passes. One of which was a deep, 40-yard sideline pass to Bodpegn Miller. “He’s coming out being accurate at practice,” Losman said. But according to the quarterbacks coach, McMillan is battling hard for that second-string role. “There is a real deal competition there at number two. And that will continue through the spring and into the fall.”
Kini McMillan’s Opportunities
During “Dawgs After Dark,” McMillan led the most impressive scoring drive of the evening. It lasted 15 plays, spanned 75 yards, and ended with a one-yard touchdown run from running back Julian McMahan on 4th and goal. That was the third fourth-down conversion of the drive. McMillan converted the other two fourth downs on runs of 11 and 13 yards, respectively. The redshirt freshman completed only one pass for seven yards on this particular possession. But he rushed for 31 of the 75 yards and helped put the purple team on the scoreboard. When he’s gotten opportunities, McMillan has been sure to make the most of them.
Out of Mililani High School in Hawaii, McMillan was the state Gatorade Player of the Year after his 2023 performance. It included 3,521 passing yards and 42 passing touchdowns, and another 575 yards on the ground with 11 scores. But he was hurt in his senior year, playing only limited snaps, and took just three snaps during his true freshman season. He hasn’t played a lot of football since his junior year of high school. But his skill set is pushing the competition for backup.
Creating Competition
“Kini’s got to compete for that job, and Kini’s done a good job when he’s come in,” Fisch said earlier this spring. “He’s made some big-time throws, and he’s got a great arm.” The arm strength is surely his top talent. On the aforementioned seven-yard pass during the spring game touchdown drive, McMillan fired a bullet to the long side of the field in a tight window where his receiver made a contested catch.
McMillan isn’t one to shy away from contact either. He was wearing a live jersey during the spring game. The redshirt freshman took a hard hit from DeSean Watts as he threw the football away on one occasion. He also lowered his shoulder into contact on a run in the second level of the defense. The big arm and live running abilities are promising traits for the second-year player. But harnessing those traits is essential, especially when it comes to a backup role where consistency is the priority.
Harnessing His Skillset
According to Losman, McMillan’s priority this spring and into the fall is straightforward. “Learn the offense more, be more technically sound, fundamentals, and buy into all the stuff we’re trying to teach him.” McMillan plays with an edge and can unleash a fastball, zip around defenders, and lower his shoulder for extra yards. That edge can lead to a little bit of unpredictability, and that’s what the staff is trying to trim down.
“We’re trying to get this young Kini, kick him out to the other side of the lake so he can’t return, and get this new and improved Kini,” Losman explained after practice this spring. “And that should happen by the fall for sure.”
Predicting Washington’s Backup Quarterback
If the season started tomorrow, Brown is the best prepared to be Washington’s backup quarterback. When called upon, especially in close games or in injury situations, the backup quarterback needs to be someone the coaching staff trusts to limit mistakes. Reliability and consistency with a high floor are ideal traits.
This spring, Brown, over everything else, was comfortable in the pocket. He appeared calm going through reads, seeing the field, and making decisions. You could see his Power Four experience in his ability to stand tall to pressure in the pocket and deliver. While the flashy plays were limited, he stood out in his ability to calmly lead the offense. And he was able to do so after arriving on campus in late March, just days before spring practice.
The quarterback competition will continue into the fall, according to Losman. But as of now, Brown’s experience, consistent pocket presence, and understanding of the offense put him a step ahead of McMillan. “[I’m] really excited for that battle [to continue],” Losman said this spring. “But more importantly, the vibe of the quarterback room is right.”
Main Image: Nick Lemkau
