The top uncommitted quarterback in the 2025 class came off the board Friday afternoon when Malik Washington, No. 255 in the ESPN 300, announced his pledge to Maryland.
Washington, a 6-foot-5 passer from Severn, Maryland, opted for the in-state Terrapins over other finalists Virginia Tech, Syracuse and UCF. He is the No. 15 pocket passer in the 2025 class and the second-highest-ranked prospect in Maryland’s upcoming class behind fellow in-state commit Iverson Howard, No. 252 in the ESPN 300.
Washington entered the weekend as the last uncommitted quarterback in the ESPN 300, and his pledge represents the latest development in an increasingly settled quarterback market in the 2025 class.
With Washington headed to Maryland, just six of the 83 quarterbacks across ESPN’s pocket passer and dual-threat quarterback rankings remain uncommitted. Between Notre Dame and the 67 programs across the Power 4, only seven are without at least one quarterback committed in 2025, with Colorado, SMU and UCF among those still actively chasing a quarterback in this cycle.
Equipped with a big frame and a strong arm, Washington won back-to-back conference titles at Maryland’s Archbishop Spalding High School over the past two seasons, and he was among the participants at last week’s Elite 11 Finals in California.
Nearby Virginia Tech was the first program to offer Washington, and he developed close relationships with the Maryland staff growing up 30 minutes from the Terps’ College Park campus. Fran Brown and Syracuse made a push for Washington’s pledge, hosting him on campus twice in 2024, and UCF entered the picture this spring, as well.
Ultimately, Washington settled on the finalist closest to home and a coaching staff that has made frequent visits to Archbishop Spalding over the past two seasons. Washington’s pledge hands coach Mike Locksley the highest-rated high school quarterback commit of his tenure at Maryland and a major recruiting win as the Terrapins progress through the 2025 cycle.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break, according to police.
Scottsdale, Arizona, police confirmed that the department is investigating a “high-dollar residential burglary” that is believed to have happened on Tuesday night, which is when Marte was playing for the National League in its All-Star game win in Atlanta.
Numerous personal items and jewelry were stolen. No one was at home when the burglary occurred.
Police said the home is “reportedly” owned by Marte. Maricopa County Assessor’s Office records show Marte owns a home on the block near the investigation.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
Marte hit a two-run double in the first inning of the NL’s win, which was secured after a home run contest at the end of the game after the score was tied after nine innings.
The burglary is the latest in a series of thefts from the homes of high-profile athletes across the country this year. Players have been targeted because of the high-end products believed to be in their homes and sometimes the thefts occur when they are away with their teams for road games.
The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to athletes.
A Seattle man was charged last month in connection with a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent active and retired professional athletes in the area.
Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg said Wednesday he is “continuing to fight” cancer and is prioritizing time with those closest to him.
He posted a letter addressed to his fans and extended baseball family on Instagram.
“I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” wrote Sandberg, 65. “It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis.
“While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.
“I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half.”
He threw out the first pitch, surrounded by fellow Cubs greats, before the home opener on April 4.
In January 2024, Sandberg announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, then last August announced he was cancer-free. In December, he said the cancer had recurred and spread. He vowed to “continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this.”
Sandberg spent 15 of his 16 major league seasons with the Cubs, along with 13 games at the start of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies (1981).
Sandberg was the 1984 National League MVP, when he batted a career-high .314 with a major-league-leading 19 triples and 114 runs scored as well as 19 home runs, 84 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.
The second baseman also earned the second of his nine career Gold Glove awards that year. He was a 10-time All-Star selection and a seven-time Silver Slugger honoree, batting .285 with 282 home runs and 1,061 RBIs in his 2,164-game career.
Sandberg, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, also spent parts of three seasons (2013-15) as the Phillies’ manager.
Despite an excellent first half to the season, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t selected as an All-Star this year, but the team made sure that he’ll be paid like one.
Despite the snub, Eovaldi was given the $100,000 All-Star bonus in his contract by the Rangers after he posted a 1.58 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 91 innings. Teammate Jacob deGrom, who was selected as an All-Star, also received a $100,000 bonus.
Eovaldi, in his 15th major league season, would lead the majors in ERA, but after missing a month due to a triceps injury, he fell six innings short of the necessary 97 innings to qualify among leaders for individual statistical categories.
Eovaldi, a two-time All-Star, won his third straight game on Sunday to improve to 7-3, giving up five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros.
The right-hander ranks second only to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal among MLB starting pitchers in WHIP (0.85) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.71). Opposing batters are hitting a paltry .194 with a .237 on-base percentage, .286 slugging percentage and .523 OPS against Eovaldi.
Eovaldi is scheduled to make his first start of the second half at home on Sunday against Skubal and the Tigers at Globe Life Field.