Maryland officially filled a key need in the 2024 cycle after quarterback Khristian Martin announced his commitment over Virginia, giving the Terps their signal-caller in the 2024 cycle. The longtime quarterback pursuit this cycle began with an in-state target, but ends with Maryland making Virginia a priority—and now, finding success with running backs coach Latrell Scott leading the way.
THE COMMITMENT‼️ pic.twitter.com/QyrKD8cXXw
— Khristian Martin (@KhrisMartin2024) July 30, 2023
Virginia quarterback Khristian Martin became the latest to join Maryland’s quarterback room after announcing his commitment on Sunday afternoon. Maryland had a number of local options on the radar, but Martin sat high on the board as the staff kept tabs on the successful Virginia playmaker throughout. Maryland was originally among the contenders for St. Frances four-star Mike Van Buren throughout the spring before finishing runner-up to Oregon, but the Terps maintained communication with Martin through the spring and while Van Buren began gradually trending west in the spring, Martin’s interest in Maryland remained consistent. The addition of running backs coach Latrell Scott played a big hand in that as the longtime coach has brought the extensive ties that Maryland has looked for to break into the neighboring state, and those relationships loomed large in Martin’s recruitment with the Terps’ offensive style hitting home.
Off the field, Maryland’s mentorship program—the same one that Locksley highlighted at the podium this week—helped win over the family on the academic side. With his recruitment now complete, Martin is expected to join the program next June as he becomes the latest to join the room.
In his first full season as the starting quarterback, Martin showed off his efficiency as he routinely showed good decision-making in the pocket, throwing for nearly 2,400 yards and 30 touchdowns to just one interception. Though he isn’t a run-first QB, Martin does well going through his progression and isn’t afraid to lean on his athleticism to extend the play. Martin’s athleticism is also evidenced by his play on the hardwood as the two-sport athlete has shown his leaping ability, giving the quarterback room a true athlete. The big-framed quarterback can improve on his deep ball accuracy and tighten his mechanics, but Martin’s work ethic and resume off the field give credit to his ceiling as fills a key need this cycle.
While he has yet to coach his first game in College Park, Martin becomes the second pledge out of Virginia this cycle as Scott has given Maryland an answer in arguably its biggest battleground state. More importantly, Martin solidifies the depth at a position that will have questions heading into next fall.
The return of Taulia Tagovailoa in 2023 gives Maryland a veteran touch heading into fall camp as the staff reloaded the roster with hopes of reaching a third consecutive bowl game, but in 2024, fans will see a new quarterback under center. That means competition with the future of the room unclear as a host of underclassmen battle to fill the void.
Heading into his freshman season, Martin will face an uphill climb to immediately insert himself into the starting discussion with Billy Edwards Jr. and Cam Edge jockeying for an edge heading into fall camp. The trust in both Edge and Edwards Jr. is there from a locker room locker room standpoint, with Edwards leaning on his experience,while Edge is building off a strong offseason that drew him praise through spring ball. The local duo will get their fair chance to become the next QB1, while the portal also remains an option for Maryland to find its quarterback next year, but Edwards and Edge give the room confidence that the next starter is already inside the program. As Long and Sauray progress heading into year one and two in the program, Martin joins the fold fitting the profile of the type of successful quarterback in Mike Locksley’s offense, but more importantly, Martin’s commitment is the latest piece to provide stability at a position fans have long waited for before Mike Locksley arrived as Maryland’s head coach.
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