Maryland football has ‘no doubt’ about quarterback Malik Washington

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Despite Malik Washington’s recent poor performances, Michael Locksley left no room for second-guessing the sophomore quarterback’s status within the Maryland football program.

“He’s our quarterback, and there’s no doubt,” he said Tuesday afternoon during his weekly news conference at SECU Stadium in College Park.

Locksley’s defense isn’t surprising considering how intertwined the fates of the coach and player are. What is stunning is how precipitously Washington’s play has dropped off in recent weeks as the Terps (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) prepare to visit No. 5 Ohio State (4-1, 2-0) on Saturday at 4:15 p.m.

In Maryland’s first two games — both wins — the Glen Burnie native and Spalding graduate completed 53 of 72 passes (73.6 rate) for 533 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions and one sack. In the last three games — all losses — Washington has connected on 71 of 126 throws (56.3%) for 755 yards and four touchdowns with six interceptions and five sacks.

Three of the interceptions were returned for touchdowns, including two in a 54-3 pummeling by UCLA on Sept. 26. In Saturday’s 48-23 setback at Nebraska, fifth-year senior defensive back Dwayne McDougle III stepped in front of Washington’s pass intended for redshirt senior wide receiver Kaleb Webb on a slant route and returned it 81 yards for a score that trimmed a nine-point deficit to two in the second quarter.

Washington’s three interceptions returned for touchdowns in four quarters are the most in a span since former Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord threw three in the first two quarters against Pittsburgh on Oct. 24, 2024, according to Sportradar. Locksley acknowledged that “the energy went out of our team” after McDougle III’s score.

On Tuesday, Locksley briefly dissected both turnovers. On Washington’s first interception, Locksley said the Cornhuskers put seven players at the line of scrimmage, but dropped back sophomore defensive lineman Kade Pietrzak, who corralled the pass. On the second gaffe, Locksley said the defense showed a man-to-man alignment before switching to bracket coverage.

“I call them 400-level reads,” he said. “Those are 400-level things that people are doing because of the talent he has at quarterback. … He’s seeing a little more complicated coverages than what he maybe has seen before, and it’s because of what he’s shown he’s able to do throwing a football.”

After leading all freshmen at the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision level in passing yards (2,963) a year ago, Washington hasn’t made the gains many anticipated this fall. In fact, an argument could be made he is regressing.

Last season, Washington completed 31.1% of his passes (19 of 61) that traveled 20 yards or more through the air, but that rate has dropped to 21.7% (5 of 23) so far, according to Pro Football Focus. While his efficiency on throws between 10 and 19 yards has increased from 45.7% (43 of 94) in 2025 to 61.5% (24 of 39) in 2026, Washington has seen a downturn in passes between zero and 9 yards from 67.6% (138 of 204) a year ago to 61.3% (49 of 80) this fall, according to Pro Football Focus.

Washington’s struggles appear similar to those afflicting fellow sophomore and Michigan starter Bryce Underwood, whose troubles have raised questions about whether he should be benched. Locksley declined to compare Washington’s situation to Underwood’s and instead said the return of healthy running backs such as redshirt sophomore DeJuan Williams (St. Frances) and redshirt freshman Harry Dalton III should relieve some of the offensive burden on the quarterback.

“I think the best thing that will happen, [that] will help Malik is to have an efficient DeJuan Williams back, have [sophomore Iverson Howard] back healthier than he’s been the last couple of weeks,” Locksley said. “No doubt that Malik hasn’t played his best football the last two weeks, but as I said, he’s 16 games in as a starter. He’s pretty much a sophomore in the halfway, almost near the halfway point of his college career, and seeing and learning and building his toolbox, which I think most quarterbacks tend to do and when they play young and early like he has.”

Like Locksley, Washington’s teammates publicly back their quarterback. A week ago, Webb said his faith in Washington is unwavering.

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“I didn’t play well against Hampton, and nobody lost belief in me,” he said. “I still have the utmost belief and confidence in him, and I know he’ll bounce back. I know he’ll lean into his faith, and he’s been doing this his whole life.”

On Tuesday, junior wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. said there was no need to try to counsel or advise Washington. He said the best thing he and his teammates could do was make plays for him.

“Just keep being there for him, keep being supportive, always just keeping a positive aspect,” Durr Jr. said. “Just all the stuff that we’re doing good and right and not just saying about the interceptions because it’s not all his fault. Put the blame on some of us sometimes. So yeah, just being that for him and just making plays continuously like we have been.”

Have a news tip? Contact Edward Lee at eklee@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/EdwardLeeSun. 

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