JUST IN: Maryland’s No. 1 QB picks Terrapins over Penn State football

The top passer in the state of Maryland for the 2025 recruiting cycle is choosing to stay home. On Friday afternoon, Archbishop Spalding quarterback Malik Washington committed to Michael Locksley and the Maryland Terrapins over James Franklin and Penn State football.

Washington announced his commitment live on the 247Sports YouTube channel Friday afternoon. The four-star quarterback picked Maryland over Virginia Tech, Syracuse, and UCF, ultimately leaving the Nittany Lions off his finalist list when it was revealed earlier this week.

“Cutting it down wasn’t easy at all, but it was a decision that had to be made,” Washington said of his final four list during the announcement. 

NEWS: 4⭐️ QB Malik Washington will make his college commitment LIVE on 247Sports this Friday at 1PM ET 🏈

The Archbishop Spalding (MD) product is down to Maryland, Syracuse, UCF, and Virginia Tech. 👀

WATCH 📹 https://t.co/H2O1EuBX1t pic.twitter.com/rYGNOziiDm

— 247Sports (@247Sports) June 25, 2024

During his recruitment, Malik Washington had been a frequent visitor to State College, making ten trips in total. However, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions didn’t schedule an official visit with Washington this month.

On3 ranks Washington as the No. 32 quarterback and No. 14 prospect in Maryland for the 2025 recruiting cycle. Meanwhile, 247Sports evaluates him as the state’s No. 14 passer and No. 3 recruit. Washington’s stock has been on the rise in recent weeks, earning an invitation to the Elite 11 Finals at the end of May.

Penn State football currently holds a commitment from Bekkem Kritza in the 2025 recruiting cycle, but James Franklin has still flirted with a two-quarterback class. However, so far, those efforts have yet to bear fruit.

In April, the Nittany Lions missed on top in-state quarterback Matt Zollers, who committed to Missouri. Zollers is currently the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania for the 2025 recruiting cycle and the No. 2 quarterback in the class per On3.

Penn State football hoping to end week on high note with Maryland’s top prospects

Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

James Franklin and Penn State football have been on an impressive recruiting run this month, landing eight prospects since June 10.

However, what could have been an excellent week for the Nittany Lions with the top prospects in Maryland ended up being a mixed bag.

The week started strong, with Penn State landing edge rusher Cortez Harris, the No. 6 recruit in the state per On3’s Industry Rankings on Sunday.

A last-minute hiccup came two days later, when defensive athlete Brandon Finney committed to Oregon on Tuesday. Maryland’s fourth-ranked prospect had been trending toward the Nittany Lions hours before his eventual commitment to the Ducks.

Following Malik Washington’s commitment, Penn State hopes to turn things around Friday night with its own addition on the offensive side of the ball. The Nittany Lions are now predicted to land four-star McDonogh wide receiver Jeff Exinor. The state’s top receiver and No. 9 recruit is set to announce his commitment at 7 p.m. Friday.

Penn State football currently has the No. 11 class in the 2025 recruiting cycle per On3. 247Sports has James Franklin and the Nittany Lions pushing for the top five, ranked sixth nationally.

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