For 4-star QB Malik Washington, committing to local Maryland was a family matter

Malik Washington’s commitment to Maryland on Friday gave the Terrapins one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 recruiting cycle and in the program’s recent history. For Washington, it provided a way to stay close to family and join a team he sees on an upward trajectory.

The Archbishop Spalding High School (Severn, Md.) incoming senior told 247Sports that being around his siblings was a key part of his decision.

“I have my little brother here running around, and I want to be able to watch him and my little sisters grow up. If I can do it from home, why not do it from home?” he said to the recruiting outlet.

Officially a Terp #terpnation #commited pic.twitter.com/lN40MtlvtH

— malik washington (@malikw2025) June 28, 2024

Washington is listed at 6-foot-4, 215 pounds. A four-star quarterback, he is ranked on the 247Sports Composite as the No. 8 player in Maryland and No. 23 quarterback in the class, though on the recently updated 247Sports metrics as the No. 3 player in the state and No. 14 quarterback in the class of 2025.

Washington had 22 offers and had made visits to Syracuse, UCF and Virginia Tech, in addition to Maryland.

Over his two years starting, he has thrown for 5,072 yards at a 60.9% clip with 50 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

Washington is the top-ranked high school quarterback to recruit to the Terrapins since Mike Locksley became head coach in 2019, and likely longer. Over the last 15 years, the closest to Washington’s grade of 91 was 2014 dual-threat commit Will Ulmer, who was graded at 90.

“I feel like Maryland’s program is on the come-up,” Washington said to 247Sports in the interview. “Winning three bowl games back-to-back-to-back, they are moving in the right direction. They just need a couple of key pieces to push them over the edge to reach that national level.”

Going back to 2021, Maryland has records of 7-6, 8-5 and 8-5 with wins in the Pinstripe Bowl, Duke’s Mayo Bowl and Music City Bowl.

With Washington’s decision, Maryland has 16 players committed to the class of 2025. The group is ranked as the No. 34 class in the country.