2026 Maryland football position preview: quarterbacks

Ahmed Ghafir
1 day ago
3 min read

Maryland football is set to kick off fall camp in nearly one month with practice scheduled to kick off the first week of August ahead of the season opener vs. Hampton on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 8 PM. As we dive into what to expect from year eight of the Mike Locksley era, we kick it off by taking a look at the retooled quarterback room with the local product anchoring the unit.

Returning: Malik Washington, Jackson Hamilton

Lost: Justyn Martin, Khristian Martin, Roman Jensen

Added: Cardell Williams, Nathan Bernhard, Max Lawrence

For the first time in three years, there's no quarterback controversy in College Park. That doesn’t mean there aren’t questions, but there’s no grey area about who is at the top.

Malik Washington returns where the 6-foot-5 quarterback looks to build on a freshman campaign that offered ample more promise than concern. After drawing the tag as an early contributor, time was on Washington’s side to materialize into the starter, but the signs were there in the spring where he built on it through summer workouts. The lack of availability during fall camp proved to be a hiccup for the former four-star to overcome after easing his way in through non-conference play. That gradual confidence set the stage for Washington to serve as the spark in Maryland’s convincing road win vs. Wisconsin, which ultimately proved to be the final win of the season.

The rest of the way, more was put on Washington’s shoulders. It didn’t help that Maryland’s pass catchers comfortably led all P4 teams in drops, putting additional pressure on Washington. Yet that added strain eventually led to some of the late-season miscues, evidenced by seven INTs over his last six games. The fourth down incompletion to DeJuan Williams on the swing pass in the eventual road loss vs. Rutgers marked one of those plays the former blue-chip prospect looks to eliminate in year two.

“There were times he would step up in the pocket and think he was feeling pressure but the pressure wasn’t necessarily there,” Aaron Campbell, Washington’s longtime QB trainer, previously told IBG.

That’s been the focus for Washington this offseason where he will now look to build on his connection with new offensive coordinator Clint Trickett with the two routinely working together through film sessions through the offseason. Yet with a shift from the under center approach under Pep Hamilton to a tempo offense with RPOs and screens, how much of a dual-threat weapon Washington materializes into in year two will be the storyline as the offense looks for better efficiency from the skill players after completing at least 60% of his passes in just three of 12 conference games in 2025.

Question for fall camp: depth

Beyond Washington, there will be one question for the unit to address next month. After the Martin duo - Justyn and Khristian - departed, Maryland has a void at QB2 that they worked to address through the portal. The staff brought in a pair of walk-on QBs in Max Larence and Devin Kargman (already departed) during the spring semester followed by Cardell Williams enrolling last month, a trio of experienced quarterbacks who join true freshman Nathan Bernhard. All eyes will be on Williams adjusting to the offense through fall camp where the Sac. St transfer offers similar dual-threat treats in the offense behind Washington.

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