Maryland QB Malik Washington becomes latest tabbed to preseason watch list

Ahmed Ghafir
11 minutes ago
2 min read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKtRI_oZuoA&t=3s

Maryland football has had a handful of players honored in preseason awards through the month with quarterback Malik Washington the latest to be honored.

Washington was one of 18 Big Ten players and 113 total nominees named to the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Award Watch List on Tuesday afternoon.

The 6-foot-5 sophomore quarterback is coming off a strong freshman season, but the honor is because of his impact off the field given the Wuerffel Trophy is handed to the athlete who “demonstrates a strong commitment to community service while exemplifying leadership and achievement on and off the field.”

Washington hosts the Malik Washington Free Youth Football Camp, providing children in the local community with an opportunity to learn the game of football, develop their skills, and stay active. After holding the camp at his former high school in recent years, 2026 marked a change in venue after hosting his camp at the Under Armour Stadium in Port Covington in Baltimore with Jimmy’s Famous Seafood among the sponsors.

“Really, just the looks on their faces. To be honest, like this is something that I wish I could have went to as a kid, right? A lot of camps cost some money and stuff like that. But just for them to be able to come out here, enjoy the community and meet some new people is really cool,” Washington said when reflecting on his camp.

Washington is also an active participant in local reading literacy initiatives, visiting multiple elementary schools throughout the DMV area to read to students.

Over the past two years, Washington has also participated in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk, Uplifting Athletes and the Beautiful Lives Project. Through his involvement with these organizations in both 2025 and 2026, Washington has helped provide individuals with disabilities the opportunity to play, experience, and learn the game of football.

Whether Washington is the final Terp to be honored is a question with linebacker Daniel Wingate and punter Bryce McFerson candidates for the preseason watchlists for the Butkus Award and Ray Guy Award, set to be released on Thursday and Friday.

2026 Awards

Lou Groza Award: K Sean O’Haire

Rimington Trophy Award: IOL Michael Hershey

John Mackey Award: TE Dorian Fleming

Bronko Nagurski Trophy: LB Daniel Wingate

Shrine Bowl 1000: DB Amari Jackson, DB Jamare Glasker, LB Daniel Wingate, OL Tellek Lockette, OL Isaiah Wright, OL Rahtrel Perry, P Bryce McFerson, DB Lavain Scruggs, TE Dorian Fleming

Related Links