Maryland football is off to a perfect start in the 2025 season.
Maryland (4-0 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) is bouncing back from a tumultuous 2024 campaign, which featured poor play and locker room dysfunction that created a rift within the team.
However, a bevy of young talent — led by standout freshman quarterback Malik Washington — has rejuvenated the Terrapins.
“This one feels different,” head coach Mike Locksley said in comparing this season to other 4-0 starts. “The veteran players we have and the talent level. I never played this many true freshmen. If you just look at how young and inexperienced we were as the season started, I would say that the focus we went into of building through high school and not necessarily [the transfer portal] has paid off. … We’re very fortunate that we hit on the evaluations of these guys. It feels a little bit different because of the level these guys have been able to come in, probably a little more ready than most of the freshmen we’ve had to play over the years.”
Maryland returns to action on Oct. 4, hosting Washington at home. But first, here are three key takeaways from the team’s first four games:
Malik Washington is as advertised.
There was plenty of excitement surrounding Washington’s arrival, fueled by his prolific career at Archbishop Spalding and the viral #FreeGrandma movement. He has delivered.
Washington has led the Terrapins to a 4-0 start, including a 27-10 win at Wisconsin on Sept. 20, marking Maryland’s first victory against the Badgers.
Washington has demonstrated poise and skill in his first season in College Park. One example came during Maryland’s 20-9 win against Northern Illinois on Sept. 5, when he orchestrated a six-play, 77-yard drive to seal the game and prevent a potential comeback.
The 6-foot-5, 231-pound quarterback currently ranks fourth in the Big Ten in passing yards (1,038) and seventh in touchdown passes (8). Locksley credited his coaching staff with helping Washington develop his pre-snap process.
“He elevated the Spalding program. We’re starting to see that here,” Locksley said. “He went into Spalding before Spalding was a program that had great success, and it was because of how he played. People want to play with him. To see the maturity that he’s shown and how he elevated the people around him has been consistent between high school and now — as a passer, the understanding of coverages, the pre-snap decisions.”
Maryland defense thrives on experience and athleticism.
Maryland’s defense features a strong blend of youth and experience. The unit is anchored by senior defensive back Jalen Huskey, junior linebacker Daniel Wingate, and promising freshmen defensive linemen Zahir Mathis and Sidney Stewart.
Locksley also highlighted Ohio University transfer defensive lineman Cam Rice, freshman defensive back Jayden Shipps and freshman linebacker Carlton Smith as big contributors.
“That’s our secret sauce,” Locksley said of the defensive mix. “We’ve gotten great leadership from veteran players that have played a lot of reps like a Huskey since he’s been here, like a Wingate who’s been here for three years and been a contributor all three. And then you throw in Cam Rice, who came in from Ohio University, but you look at the amount of plays he’s played in his career. … When you look at [Stewart, Mathis, Smith and Shipps], all these guys are super athletic, super talented, they just need the reps, and that’s where the experience of the leaders on the defensive side has really helped those guys grow up fast.”
Stewart has made history as the first FBS freshman in 20 years to record a sack in each of his first four games. He is tied for first in the Big Ten in sacks (4.0), while Mathis is tied for second (3.0).
Wingate, who leads the Big Ten in total tackles (39), has also made a significant leap this season, drawing comparisons from Locksley to former Maryland great E.J. Henderson.
Strong play up front has contributed to eight interceptions so far, the most in the Big Ten. The Terrapins had just nine total interceptions in all of 2024.
The running game is still searching for rhythm.
While Maryland has been trying to find a balance between its passing and running game, it has yet to succeed. The Terrapins currently rank near the bottom of the Big Ten in rushing yards (411), ahead of only UCLA (366).
Locksley has noted that running the ball effectively could help ease the load on Washington, but the Terrapins haven’t been able to get much going on the ground. Washington is second in the Big Ten in pass attempts (134), just behind Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (135).
That’s not for lack of effort. Maryland has 123 rushing attempts, but an average of just 3.3 yards per carry is far from ideal.
“It’s always about creating balance and being able to do both well when you have to,” Locksley said. “We have a system that allows us to do that — if we add RPOs, it helps the run game. When you talk about physicality, it’s basically about numbers. It’s one guy beating another guy and making a play. At some point in the Big Ten, you’re going to get into a fight in a phone booth, and we’re developing that mentality.”
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Maryland Athletics