At midnight on Sept. 1, college football coaches are permitted to initiate contact with prospective recruits entering their junior year via phone calls, text messages, social media and video-chat software, such as Zoom.
As one of the top quarterback prospects in Maryland, Washington, a rising junior at Archbishop Spalding, figures to be a highly sought-after recruit following a sensational first season as a varsity starter.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound quarterback passed for 2,979 yards, 29 touchdowns and led the Cavaliers (11-1) to the first Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference championship in program history.
“I think I am going to turn my phone off and call everyone back in the morning,” he said of managing the likely avalanche of requests. “That’s the best plan of action.”
Before his recruiting process even picked up steam — he has yet to visit one school — Washington received full scholarship offers from Maryland, Penn State, Virginia Tech, Rutgers, Illinois, Arkansas and Texas A&M, among others. That list figures to grow substantially throughout the next year.
“I am big on, ‘I am where my feet are,'” Washington said. “I’ll respond to [the recruiting pitches], but it won’t be too much. If it’s 12 o’clock at night and I am getting a call, I’ll be like, ‘I’ve got to wake up. I’ve got school tomorrow.’ It can’t be an all-night affair.”
Washington is more than just tall, fast and athletic with a strong and accurate arm. Spalding coach Kyle Schmitt said Washington’s maturity is a big part of what separates him from the pack and will be a huge selling point for college recruiters.
Washington watched and learned as a freshman backup in 2021, as the Cavaliers went 10-1, falling to McDonogh, 7-0, in the MIAA A championship game.
Then, he stepped into the starting job as a sophomore last season, and nothing seemed to faze him, including a 48-28 loss to national power Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) in the season opener.
The following week, he completed 16 of 22 passes, looking every bit like a savvy veteran in a 38-3 home rout of Broadneck that started the Cavaliers’ run to the conference championship. The moment never seemed too big for Washington, Schmitt said.
“I really believe his objective is to make everyone around him better,” the coach said. “At that position, which is one of the most challenging to play in sports, that’s really a wonderful quality.”
And Washington’s ability to connect with people extends beyond the team.
“I was talking with one of our kids the other day,” Schmitt said. “And he said, ‘Malik was talking to my grandma after practice. I don’t even know how he knows my grandma.’ That’s a really unique quality. I think you see it in great coaches and great quarterbacks, real authentic people.”
With 15 starters returning from last season’s championship team, including four of five on the offensive line and two of three receivers, the Cavaliers are poised to have another big season.
A second consecutive MIAA title would be “one of the biggest highlights in the school’s football history,” Schmitt said.
Washington is hoping to polish his passing skills and make faster reads. Though he is a very effective runner, he prefers to operate from the pocket.
He hopes to make his college decision by next summer, which would free his mind and remove a potential distraction heading into his senior season in 2024.
“I just try and remember it can be taken away at any moment,” Washington said. “Staying humble is part of being a good person. If you are arrogant and stuff like that, it never really ends well for anybody.”
See Also: Best Of 2022: Best High School Coach
Photo Credit: Jeff Burke
Issue 282: August/September 2023
Originally published Aug. 16, 2023