Maryland football QB Malik Washington among top projected freshmen in college football in 2025

Ahmed Ghafir
23 hours ago
2 min read

Another week, another accolade for Maryland quarterback Malik Washington after ESPN named the former four-star among the top ten freshmen across college football heading into 2025.

Washington was one of four Big Ten players selected alongside Oregon WR Dakorien Moore (1), Michigan QB Bryce Underwood (2) and Ohio State CB Devin Sanchez (4). Washington was also one of three quarterbacks included alongside Underwood and Colorado QB Julian Lewis with Maryland’s freshman quarterback checking in at fifth overall.

“Washington's development will be key to securing the starting role but he has shown maturity as a leader and possesses elite QB makeup. Even if UCLA transfer Justyn Martin beats him out for the starting position for Week 1, Washington's physical skills and upside should propel him to the starting position in early September. At 6-foot-5, 231 pounds, Washington is a true dual-threat quarterback. His accuracy as a rhythm passer and ability to change arm angles should mesh well with Pep Hamilton's new offensive system, and Washington can enhance the running game.”

While the Archbishop Spalding product was not available for the first scrimmage of fall camp, Washington remains entrenched in the ongoing quarterback battle with the early enrollee proving himself as advertised in his first months on campus.

“The times we've had opportunities to watch him and see him, he's as advertised and so what we've got to do is get him healthy, got back on the field here, hopefully,” Locksley said last week of the three-time MIAA champion on BTN.

For first-year offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, trying to “de-emphasize” inexperience at the position is the focus heading into the fall.

“A big part of it is just really assigning their eyes and their thoughts pre-snap. We like to tell our quarterbacks, when they see a little, they see a lot,” he said ahead of fall camp. “When they see a lot, they don't see anything. And so just having a pre snap routine, that's going to ultimately help them to accelerate this process of elimination right before the ball is snapped. And then the other part of it is that post-snap recognition. So a big part of acclimating any quarterback, especially quarterbacks that are transitioning from high school to college or college to the NFL, is it's just making sure that they're not distracted by all the possibilities, all the variables that can ultimately stymie a quarterback and cause them to be hesitant.”

Related Links