When Malik Washington committed to Maryland football in June, the Terps still had a season to play until the four-star would suit up. Their newest loss cements a campaign that will end next Saturday and turns the attention back to Washington.
Maryland’s future likely rests on Washington’s shoulders. The Archbishop Spalding quarterback is one of the most important recruits in recent program history.
Still, expectations for his freshman season should be tempered.
Only six of 247 Sports’ top 15 quarterback rankings since 2020 have started at least four games in their true freshman season. A few of the prospects played a limited role as freshman, but the majority redshirted.
Dylan Raiola of Nebraska, D.J. Lagway from Florida, Michael Van Buren Jr. of Mississippi State, Dante Moore of UCLA, Conner Weigman from Texas A&M and Caleb Williams of Oklahoma all assumed starting roles during their freshman campaign. Five of those quarterbacks were rated as five-stars.
Washington is a four-star talent, according to the 247 Sports composite ranking. He’s rated as the No. 110 prospect in the country.
“Should be viewed as an exciting dual-threat talent that can win at the Power Four level with some seasoning,” Andrew Ivins, 247 Sports’ director of scouting, wrote about Washington in June. “Likely to find most success in a modern spread attack that wants to move him around and utilize his legs.”
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Washington will have a couple advantages entering next season. He plans to enroll at College Park early and Spalding coach Kyle Schmitt said the Cavaliers’ offense is similar to Maryland’s.
But quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. will return to College Park next season, making Washington’s path to starting even tougher.
“I’m excited about Billy returning in the system for a second starting season, possibly. I’m excited for [Washington] to be here,” coach Michael Locksley said. “I’m excited to be able to add a bunch of pieces, if you really want to know. That’s the optimism I have.”
Locksley has played true freshman quarterbacks before. He coached Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama and Juice Williams at Illinois, who all started games in their initial collegiate season.
Locksley described his offensive system as being “quarterback friendly,” regardless of experience.
“We’ve played true freshmen and we’ve played returning starters at the position, and the one good thing is they’re all going to get coached,” Locksley said.
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If Washington does earn the starting job, a comparable scenario could be Van Buren’s freshman year. Mississippi State went 5-7 in 2023 and elected to play its young quarterback often in the ensuing season.
The Bowie native has started six games and appeared in eight. He’s thrown for 1,606 yards and 10 touchdowns, but he’s also tossed five interceptions and has a 54.9 completion percentage.
The Bulldogs are 2-9 and 0-7 in conference.
A similar season would be damaging to Locksley’s tenure. Athletic director Damon Evans said on Wednesday the football program needs to “take a hard look in the mirror.” This offseason plans to have lots of intrigue, starting with the quarterback position.
Locksley has reasons to start Edwards — he’s a veteran quarterback with familiarity within the system.
But there’s an allure to start Washington, who said when he committed he wants to play early into his collegiate career. The incoming freshman’s readiness will likely determine the position battle.
