Maryland football’s newest QB, Malik Washington, showcases talent during annual spring game

Freshman Malik Washington gave Terps fans a glimpse of what’s to come as he hit SECU Stadium for Maryland’s annual Red-White Spring Game. Wearing the same number seven he donned at Archbishop Spalding, Washington played for the red team alongside teammate, redshirt junior Justyn Martin, where the two-split time.

Despite Red falling short against White, 31-28, the freshman settled right in, supported by his roughly 35 family members who came out to support him.

“It was a big section that was really just my family over here, so I felt right at home, just like, you know, playing high school,” said Washington after the game.

Washington makes his transition from Archbishop Spalding High School to playing for Maryland look seamless. The Glen Burnie native enters Maryland with an impressive resume. A consensus four-star prospect, Washington arrived in College Park with an accomplished resume as he drew the label as the future of the Terps' program.

While quarterbacking at Archbishop Spalding, Washington led the school to a top-ten national ranking and won three consecutive MIAA Titles, becoming the first quarterback in league history to do so. Washington also became the all-time leader in MIAA history.

With his first snap coming at the start of the second quarter, Washington capped off his first game in front of fans with two touchdowns, completing 12-of-18 attempts for 168 yards and a pair of touchdowns along with three carries and a ten-yard run to cap off his day. While head coach Mike Locksley noted the Terps' offense and defense were in "base gameplan" it was an encouraging first performance as fans took in the sights of their new quarterback in a Maryland uniform for the first time.

While all the conversation has been centered around who will win the starting job, expected to be settled once fall camp is wrapped up, Washington pointed to the strong rapport within the quarterback room which has been a theme all semester.

“We’re here, you know, six in the morning, and we’re the last ones leaving the building. So you with somebody that long, you just kind of build that relationship. We all can, you know, touch each other and everything, ask everything to learn better,” said Washington.

At the end of the day, he knows there can only be one starting quarterback. The transition from being the high school starting quarterback to battling for the starting spot at the collegiate level becomes a testament to how hard you have to push yourself. But that competition has also made the room closer.

“Because no matter what, like we want to see the next person win. So if it's not us starting, we're rooting for the guys that you know are out there right now. Like, I don't think it's any bad blood or hate between us, no matter who starts,” said Washington.

For Washington, the physical aspect of football will always continue to be there. He said that it’s the mental aspect of the game that he wants to improve on the most moving forward. Washington said, “the mental side is where, you know, people start to elevate and take that next step in their career.”

Washington pointed to his gradual acclimation to things such as the playbook and the speed of the game at this level. “Being in the huddle offense, you know, high school. You know how to up tempo real fast, so being able to slow the game down and how to tell everybody their job and adjust protections and things like that was kind of new for me. But, you know, Coach did a great job of, you know, understanding that it was good for me, and really walking me through and taking me through things so that we can come out here and perform.”

Taking the next step in Washington’s football career means having to build those relationships with teammates and finding the ins and outs of what works best for one another. Washington connected with veteran wide receiver Octavian Smith Jr. for a touchdown.

Washington recognizes the leadership role that veteran Octavian Smith Jr. has taken on.

“He understands coverages and things like that, where his zones are and the holes aren't coverages. So he's able to kind of settle in those zones. He doesn't like run himself in the covers or anything like that. And he's reliable. I know he's gonna be in the right spot all the time no matter where the play is,” said Washington.

As for Smith, Washington’s confidence has impressed him through the former four-star’s first four months on campus.

“I like the confidence he comes in with. Straight out of high school, some guys, you might seem them like start out kind of slow, kind of sluggish but he came in – him and all the quarterbacks – they were in here with coach Pep early in the morning, late at night, getting the offense, scheme down.”

Washington was awarded the Scott Milanovich Most Improved Freshman Award at the conclusion of the game.

By: Brinkley Smith

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