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Spalding football 4-star QB Malik Washington commits to Maryland

Some major college football recruits gather a crowd or set up a table lined with hats to make their highly anticipated decision. When Malik Washington revealed his choice, the nation listened.

On Friday, a nationwide audience was able to view on 247Sports’ YouTube channel the Archbishop Spalding four-star quarterback, as rated by 247sports and Rivals, make his college decision public. Fans in a chat pleaded for Washington to go to their school of choice: “Lets Gooo #Syracuse,” “Turtle Time.” Or a series of turkey emojis for Virginia Tech.

In the end there was only one school for him: The University of Maryland.

Washington made it a two-for-one deal as he slid over to make room for his Spalding teammate and three-star cornerback Jayden Shipps as both donned Maryland hats on the broadcast.

“It’s definitely been a long, hard decision, but for the next three to four years, we will be attending the University of Maryland.”

Washington listed Maryland, Syracuse, Central Florida and Virginia Tech as his four finalists.

“These last four programs are all great programs, all great schools. Cutting it down wasn’t easy,” Washington said shortly before announcing his decision.

He wasn’t firm on his choice until mid-June. It was one of the first true breaks since he finished his junior football and basketball seasons. His time included jet-setting to a slew of schools and elite camps.

And it was time.

“After I weighed all the pros and cons, I feel like [Maryland] was the best fit for me,” Washington told The Capital Gazette.

Washington trimmed his roster of 18 Division I offers to six on Jan. 4, his birthday. Maryland, Penn State, Syracuse, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Oregon were the finalists. While he played his final season of basketball, more offers rolled in from Pitt, UCLA, Colorado and more.

The Terps “probably pulled ahead late spring, early summer,” Washington said. “Being able to see myself there, had a couple talks with coach about how I’d fit into the program there. And, being the quarterback from Maryland, staying in Maryland is important to me.”

He’s aware his decision might surprise some. Washington is one of Anne Arundel County’s highest-rated recruits in years. In 2023, Washington had 2,903 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, as well as 225 rushing yards and six touchdowns, all on the conquering path to a second straight Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference title (only Spalding’s second in program history).

As well as easily earning two consecutive Capital Gazette Player of the Year honors, he was also honored by the MIAA A Conference, county public and private school coaches, and the Touchdown Club of Annapolis as a two-time Rhodes Trophy winner — something not done since Old Mill’s Ryan Callahan in 2004 and 2005.

Washington has thrown for more than 5,000 passing yards in two seasons as a starter. He participated in the Elite 11 quarterback competition finals in Los Angeles from June 18-20, competing alongside 19 of the country’s best from the 2025 class.

Regular Associated Press Top 25 programs Penn State and Oregon would’ve offered Washington a readymade competitive situation to someday lead. Maryland, meanwhile, maintains a middling position in the Big Ten Conference, let alone the wider college football landscape.

Spalding wasn’t so dissimilar when Washington made his choice to play there.

“Building something and being part of a team to start something new? I feel like that’s more fun,” Washington said. “That’s more interesting to me than a place that’s already established. Like high school, we’re gonna take it, push it forward and leave it better than I found it.”

He hopes, too, that his choice will inspire other talented recruits to make the best decisions for themselves. Washington’s aspirations for the NFL — and to follow up that pro career as a marine biologist, he said — will not change because his college choice isn’t as flashy as some of his other options.

“No matter where you go, if you’re good, you’re gonna go be good,” Washington said. “Especially now, with Pro Football Focus and things like that, you can go to any school, dominate and be a high draft choice. You can stay home and be great.”

That said, Washington left his options open as long as he could.

Over the past few months, Washington decorated his social media channels. Not only for himself but for others. He hyped teammates still looking for their college homes, or celebrating those who committed.A few posts were for his free football clinics. His motivations were always to shed light on others, a pledge Washington repeatedly made since his sophomore year.

But there was also room for high-resolution photoshoots in uniforms and official visit notices from schools. He enjoyed the process too much to commit early, he said, and knew any visit could open his mind to change.

One did.

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A post shared by Malik Washington (@themalik.w)

A June 2 Instagram post featured Washington decked in the futuristic silvers and blues of Central Florida, or “Space U,” which worked its way into Washington’s heart in the late spring. Despite not being part of his official final six, UCF beat out all the others as his second option.

But, the difference between the Knights and Maryland was timing.

“The campus was super nice and I loved all the coaches, but they just came out a little late,” Washington said. “It was hard to build a good relationship.”

Locksley arrived third in Washington’s sophomore year, after Virginia Tech and Penn State, and has since consistently patronized the Spalding sideline in-person or through staff.

In recent years, Maryland has become a frequent destination for the best of Spalding’s crop, including first-team All-County, three-star linebacker Keyshawn Flowers and his twin, Keion. Former Cavaliers Lavain Scruggs and Kellan Wyatt are also in College Park.

“I definitely think we could make Maryland ‘Spalding 2.0,’” Washington said.

Those four might not be the only Spalding grads joining Washington, who hopes to earn playing time at quarterback in fall 2025. His longtime receiving partner, Maxwell Moss, played in 10 games as a freshman at James Madison in 2023. Washington’s other favorites are spreading out to other Division I schools this fall.

“We talked about them having some good years and then hop in the portal and come here,” Washington said. “But they’re doing their thing there, and if they’re happy, I’m not gonna press them too much. I want them to succeed, whether it’s with me as their quarterback or somebody else.”