Another four-star quarterback locks in plans to attend Penn State-Michigan game
Penn State’s visitor list for this weekend continues to improve, as another key prospect for the Nittany Lions in the Class of 2025 has confirmed he plans to be at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. Quarterback Malik Washington from Archbishop Spalding in Maryland is set to return to Penn State for the ninth time dating back to April 2022. The four-star prospect has long been considered one of Penn State’s top quarterbacks in the class.
Currently ranked No. 188 nationally by On3, Washington was last on campus in September to attend Penn State’s White Out win over Iowa. He was also at Maryland this past weekend to watch the Nittany Lions defeat the Terps, 51-15.
In addition to Washington’s relationship with Mike Yurcich, Danny O’Brien and James Franklin, his high school coach, Kyle Schmitt, has a long-standing relationship with Franklin that dates back to his days at Maryland.
“I’ve known coach for more than 20 years now,” Schmitt said in an extended interview with BWI back in September. “I was a freshman in 2000 and he was at Maryland then. He was there for all four of my years at Maryland. Then, when I came back as a GA, during my second year, he was the offense coordinator. We worked really closely then. I was a GA on offense, so we spent a ton of time together.”
Schmitt went on to add, “Coach Franklin is someone I have so much respect for. He’s taught me so much about building a team, recruiting and just understanding the importance of details. His attention to detail is second to none.”
Washington holds offers from a dozen schools currently. He’s taken visits to Maryland, Oregon, Rutgers and Virginia Tech. Schmitt said previously the proximity to home will likely have an impact on Washington’s decision.
Link: Top 50 prospect set to return to Penn State for Top 10 showdown vs. Michigan
“I do think proximity to family is important, too,” Schmitt said. “Obviously, Penn State, Maryland, Virginia Tech, those types of places, they’re important. His family is huge to him and I think he wants them to be there and be a part of his life. I don’t think he wants to go to the other side of the country and leave them and force them to travel to come see him. So, I think that makes a Penn State-Maryland Big 10 battle realistic. I think Virginia Tech is another one that’s in the mix. Of course, it’s still early. I don’t want to take other places out of the mix, but I think that gives Penn State as good of a chance as anyone.
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“Obviously, he wants to win, too. Malik is a winner. Malik wants to be part of a program that’s successful. I don’t think he’s afraid to build it on his own at all, but I think being around people that want it like he does and are as detailed as he is, that’s really important. I think Penn State provides that in a lot of ways.”
Washington and his Archbishop Spalding teammates are set to face Loyola Blakefield Friday night in the MIAA A Conference semifinals. Blakefield defeated Spalding in overtime just two weeks ago, 30-24.
In addition to his national rating, Washington is the 16th-ranked quarterback by On3 and No. 4 overall in Maryland. The On3 Industry Ranking has him at No. 266 nationally, 20th overall at quarterback and No. 7 in the state.
Washington will be one of three 2025 quarterbacks in attendance. Ohio native Ryan Montgomery and Pennsylvania native Matt Zollers are also expected to attend.
