Billy Edwards Jr.’s up-and-down season leaves uncertainty at quarterback.
Taulia Tagovailoa became the face of Maryland football when he transferred to the program in 2020, leading it to three consecutive bowl victories in his four seasons. But his departure at the end of the 2023 season left head coach Michael Locksley and his staff facing a significant question for the first time in years: Who would be the Terps’ starting quarterback?
The quarterback competition lingered throughout spring camp, with reporters eager for hints about Locksley’s decision. The contenders were redshirt junior Billy Edwards Jr., redshirt sophomore NC State transfer MJ Morris and redshirt sophomore Cameron Edge. Yet Locksley remained tight-lipped.
It wasn’t until Maryland’s season opener against UConn that the mystery was finally solved. Edwards was the signal caller when the offense trotted onto the field.
Locksley’s decision made sense. Edwards had been part of Maryland’s system for two seasons, gaining experience in limited roles. He started against Northwestern in 2022 and in the Music City Bowl against Auburn in 2023, leading Maryland to wins in both.
Edwards rewarded Locksley’s faith early in the 2024 season. Maryland opened 3-1, with its only loss coming in a close battle against Michigan State. Edwards showcased his skills, particularly his chemistry with receiver Tai Felton, who broke Maryland’s single-season receptions record with 96 catches.
Despite Edwards’ strong start — 1,155 passing yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception in the first four games — Locksley kept his options open. Morris saw limited action in two games, taking a second-quarter drive against UConn and playing briefly against Villanova.
But by midseason, Edwards had firmly established himself as the starter.
The turning point
Maryland’s momentum hit a wall against No. 9 Indiana. The Terps fell, 42-28, despite Edwards’ 328 yards passing and three touchdowns. His completion percentage dipped to 63.4% as well, and he looked less composed.
The struggles continued. Maryland won just one more game in 2024, a nail-biter against USC. A blocked field goal and a late touchdown sealed the victory, with Edwards delivering a season-high 373 passing yards and two touchdowns.
As the season progressed, two trends became clear. Maryland’s defense, plagued by injuries, was faltering and the Terps relied increasingly on Edwards’ arm to stay competitive. This led to high passing volumes — 51 attempts against Northwestern, 44 against No. 1 Oregon and 55 against Rutgers — but also more turnovers. Edwards threw four interceptions in those three games and sustained injuries, further complicating Maryland’s struggles.
Edwards missed part of the Iowa game due to multiple injuries, paving the way for Morris to step in. Morris played out the season, including a forgettable finale against No. 4 Penn State, where Morris and backup Champ Long combined for just 122 yards and three interceptions.
Looking ahead
Now with the 2024 season behind them, Locksley faces another quarterback conundrum. Edge entered the transfer portal in late October. Edwards is a strong contender to return for 2025, while Morris appears likely to transfer again.
The wildcard? Incoming freshman Malik Washington, a four-star recruit from Archbishop Spalding in Severn, Maryland. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback is ranked No. 50 nationally in the class of 2025 by 247Sports and has been on Maryland’s radar since he was in eighth grade, Locksley said. Washington officially signed with the Terps Wednesday, bringing a dual-threat skillset and a commitment to reinvigorate a struggling program.
As the 2025 season approaches, Locksley’s decision may come down to Edwards and Washington. Edwards brings experience and familiarity with the system, while Washington offers raw talent and the promise of a bright future.
“The intelligence he brings … I watched how he built this Spalding program,” Locksley said on early signing day. “The sky is the limit for his talent level. He expects to come in in the mail room and work his way up. He doesn’t want it any other way. He wants to come in and learn and be a sponge.”
For Maryland fans, the quarterback choice symbolizes hope for a turnaround. For Locksley, it could determine not just the program’s trajectory, but also his own legacy in College Park as well.
“This system is a quarterback friendly system. The good thing is that we’ve played true freshmen and we’ve played returning starters at the position,” Locksley in November. “They’re [all] gonna get coached and developed like we’ve shown in this system.”