THIBODAUX — Sports analyst Todd McShay said no other quarterback at the Manning Passing Academy demonstrated arm talent comparable to Malik Washington's on July 6, 2026. Washington, a sophomore quarterback at the University of Maryland, started all 12 games for the team during his freshman season.

During the academy, McShay projected Washington's Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) value could reach $7 million if he enters the transfer portal after the 2026 season. "If he builds off of what he did last year, just watching him physically, nobody had his arm, nobody," McShay said. "Washington threw this ball, it was probably 50 something yards in the air, and it wasn't like it was too high, it was just the trajectory was so different, because he's able to with the arm, the energy, and you're watching… It was my first wow moment of the week there was watching Malik throw a deep ball."

Washington completed nearly 58% of his passes as a freshman, throwing for over 2,900 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also recorded 300 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, finishing in the top five in the Big Ten Conference in completions and yards per game. Maryland finished with a 4-8 record during Washington's freshman season and retained him for his sophomore season with an NIL valuation of approximately $2 million.

McShay said he discussed Washington's potential NIL value in the transfer portal with Pete Thamel and others. "Talking to Pete Thamel, and some other people, there's a high anticipation that he could be, as someone said to me, upwards of maybe $7 million NIL quarterback a year from now going somewhere else," McShay said.

Washington is 6-foot-5 and weighs over 230 pounds. He is from Glen Burnie, Maryland. Brendan Sorsby reportedly received an NIL deal valued around $5 million while playing for Texas Tech. The Manning Passing Academy completed its 30th year at Nicholls State University in Louisiana, where McShay also identified Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr as the camp MVP.