By Courtney Corcoran

No matter the pressure or outside noise around him, 19-year-old Malik Washington remains calm and steadfast, often encouraging his team to do the same. 

The freshman quarterback from Glen Burnie, Maryland has quickly become a notable figure in college football after his record-breaking debut season. 

As the season came to an end, Washington broke many program records. In Maryland’s final game on Nov. 29 against Michigan State, he threw for 459 yards and 38 completions – a record high for Maryland freshman and the second most passing yards in a single game in Maryland history. 

Washington finished the year with 2,963 passing yards, 273 completions and 17 passing touchdowns – the highest single-season totals ever recorded by a Maryland freshman.

He topped 200 yards in 11 of 12 games, becoming the first Big Ten freshman to do so since former Ohio State University quarterback C.J. Stroud, who broke the record in 2021. 

He said his favorite moments of the season were throwing his first touchdown in the home opener against Florida Atlantic University and delivering a late touchdown pass to Shaleak Knotts against Wisconsin – a play he said “kind of iced the game” in the 27-10 win.  

Washington’s success in football began at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn. Before Washington arrived, Spalding’s football program had never been nationally ranked or won a championship. Kyle Schmitt, Spalding’s head football coach, said Washington is more than just a great athlete. 

“Take football out of the equation, he is just one of the best people I’ve had the privilege to coach in my 17 years,” Schmitt said.

Despite Schmitt’s many memories with Washington, he appreciates the small moments– including pregame meetings.

“…talking about life, talking about football. I cherish those moments with him,” Schmitt said. 

Lavain Scruggs, a senior defensive back on Maryland’s football team and former Spalding teammate, recalled his time at Spalding with Washington.

“Our whole team was a lot of seniors, and him being a young guy coming in, he was always hard working and wanting to learn and very fun to be around,” Scruggs said.

At Spalding, Washington earned a starting position in his sophomore year.

“After 10th grade, I had an amazing season, and I really realized I could take it pretty far,” Washington said.

From there, he led the Cavaliers to three straight Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) titles and became the conference’s all-time passer leader. By the time he graduated, the Spalding football program had transformed, earning a No. 10 national ranking for the first time. 

As a four-star recruit and the No. 2 player in Maryland, attending the University of Maryland was an ideal option due to its proximity to his hometown and family, which Washington said is essential. 

“I’m really big on family. I think that was one of the most important things,” Washington said. “Being able to go home, to see them and have Sunday dinners with my family.”

Washington graduated early and started at Maryland in spring of 2025 to get an early start with the team and academics.

He is the first student from his high school to register for early enrollment. The administration brought the idea to him and his family. 

“We felt he was the model for future students…he was a person who could handle the extra workload,” Schmitt said. 

Washington shared his experience on this, stating that the early start made a big difference.

“It gave me time to kind of learn and prepare without having to be thrown into the fire right away,” he said. 

Washington said academics have always been one of his priorities, and he is currently studying communications at UMD. He added that getting a semester’s head start helped him learn the time management skills needed to balance a student athlete’s life. 

“[The early start helped] me learn how to manage my time with being a college athlete, going from classes to practice and workouts, and still find the time to do my homework,”  he said. 

Washington entered this season with high expectations from the public and intense media attention, labeled as one of the top freshmen in the NCAA.But the pressure is nothing new for Washington.

“The pressure is part of the sport,” Washington said,  “I’m still playing the same game that I love, but just a couple more people [are] watching.”

 Schmitt feels Washington remained grounded throughout his successes. 

“He just never lost that humble attitude,” Schmitt said. 

While Washington is only a freshman, he has already become a leader at Maryland. He defines leadership as being a positive influence on the people around him. 

“That’s really what I try to do every single day, whether it’s just smiling around the building or being the one to talk to somebody who might be feeling left out,” he said.  

His leadership carried onto the field as well. 

“Malik being a freshman is kind of amazing,” Scruggs said. “He actually stepped up and led that offensive side of the ball, and then pregame, he always gave us speeches.” 

Washington’s faith plays a big role in who he is today. He said he looks up to Stroud because of their similar values. 

“He’s really big on his faith, and he doesn’t let being in the NFL stop him from still sharing his faith,” Washington said.

Featured Image: Maryland quarterback Malik Washington. Photo courtesy of Malik Washington.