Virginia Tech DB on Maryland QB Malik Washington: "I don't really think he's that accurate"

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It's not too often that press conferences provide bulletin board material, especially coming out of College Park. Yet ahead of a highly anticipated week three matchup against Virginia Tech, Maryland may have gotten added motivation.

Virginia Tech defensive back Jaquez White noted that Maryland quarterback Malik Washington is a "pretty big quarterback" with a "decent arm," but also questioned the sophomore.

"I don't really think he's that accurate but I mean, he's pretty good," White said. "He's not a runner. He's looking to throw the ball pretty much every time. It's just doing our job and focusing on us is going to help us win this game."

It marks the first time that Washington has been publicly criticized by an opposing player, adding intrigue to what materializes in the sophomore's second home game of the 2026 season. Washington is coming off a performance when he set a program record with 18 consecutive completions, while his 82.9% completion percentage ranks fourth in program history among quarterbacks who attempted at least 30 passes.

The bounceback performance also came after Washington threw for 186 yards while completing 61.3% of his passes in a week one win that left ample room for growth.

White, meanwhile, has registered three tackles including an assist on a TFL across his first two games with the Hokies. White arrived after starting in 12 of his 14 appearances at Troy in 2025 where he posted 67 total tackles, 3.5 TFLs, three interceptions and 11 pass deflections during his lone season with the program. The 5-foot-11 corner spent the first two seasons of his college career at Washburn where he started in all but two of his 21 appearances. Yet how he fares against Washington and the passing attack now adds another storyline to a matchup that already drew headlines through the offseason.

"Especially week three, that's a big game," center Michael Hershey told IBG at Big Ten Media Days. "It's a non-conference game, but still, it's Virginia Tech. Like it's James Franklin too. So you've gotta take it pretty seriously. They go back years and the rivalry is there. It's real."

Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM on Saturday afternoon with the program announcing on Sunday the broadcast is set for FS1.

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