What we learned from Maryland football’s Red-White Spring Game

The young Terps squad gained valuable game-time experience, with some notable standouts.

Amidst the rush among programs to cancel public spring games, head coach Michael Locksley and Maryland football decided to continue the tradition in preparation for the 2025 season.

“I wanted to see us run, block, catch, tackle, throw and kick,” Locksley said. “I got to see players in front of a group of fans, go play out and execute the stuff that we asked them to. And I was pleased with what we did today.”

The White Team took home a narrow, 31-28 victory that gives Locksley some good problems heading into the summer.

Here are three takeaways from the spring showcase.

Entering stage left, Khristian Martin

The buzz around Maryland’s quarterback position coming into the season has mainly been centered on four-star recruit Malik Washington, and with good reason — the former Archbishop Spalding High School star had a solid day, completing 67% of his passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns, and generally looked promising.

Malik to Haughton Jr!

We got a close one in the fourth!

Red lead 28-24. pic.twitter.com/U0yovFJum0
— Maryland Football (@TerpsFootball) April 26, 2025

Beyond Washington, the presumed backup was UCLA transfer Justyn Martin. The redshirt junior brings more experience to a young Maryland quarterback room, with a start against Penn State under his belt.

But with Washington and Justyn Martin splitting time on the Red Team, White Team’s Khristian Martin made his name known to Terps fans. The 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman completed 7-of-8 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter.

Red Team head coach and new defensive coordinator Ted Monachino dialed up more pressure in the second quarter, forcing two sloppy passes and three sacks. Khristian Martin rebounded, though, finishing the game 16-for-23 with 269 yards and four touchdowns. The spring game MVP firmly staked his claim for more reps moving forward.

“The quarterback competition is obviously ongoing,” Locksley said. “[Khristian Martin was] able to operate things at a pretty decent level. Love the way that all those guys have progressed this spring.”

Mekhai White made a claim

The biggest beneficiary of Khristian Martin’s impressive day was redshirt freshman Mekhai White, who wowed with some spectacular grabs. The 6-foot-2 Virginia native hauled in four catches for 111 yards and a pair of touchdowns, but it was the variety of plays that made White’s day especially exciting.

Have a half, @mekhai_white!

Watch the WR's pair of TD grabs in the first half of the @TerpsFootball spring game #B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/5FUnQFNPHq
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) April 26, 2025

For his first touchdown, White extended his crossing route when Khristian Martin scrambled, finding a pocket of space as Red Team linebackers reacted to the breakdown. He capped his day off with a burst of speed to clear 100 yards after the reception. But the second touchdown — as well as his 44-yard reception that broke the game open on the first drive — were go-up-and-get-it contested catches that will remind Maryland fans of the freshly departed Kaden Prather.

“He’s gonna make the catches,” Khristian Martin said. “Big body, can go and get up the 50-50 ball, can run the short routes, catch that for you, run the intermediate routes ... [he] can make every catch you throw to him.”

Linebacker corps looking light

The spring game is always geared toward an offensive experiment, but the heart of the Maryland defense faltered.

With Ruben Hyppolite now a Chicago Bear and Kellan Wyatt and Caleb Wheatland entering the transfer portal in recent weeks, there are glaring holes in the linebacker position.

This was the time for linebackers to step up and claim any of the three starting spots. Freshman Carlton Smith finished with five tackles, while sophomore Keyshawn Flowers finished off a tip-drill interception. Junior Daniel Wingate and redshirt freshman Keion Flowers each recorded a sack.

Outside of flashes, though, there were no stellar, consistent performances from a position group that is desperate for someone to assert themselves.

“The defense, we’re coming together,” Keyshawn Flowers said. “There’s a lot of new pieces, and you have a new defensive coordinator, but we’ve been working through the spring, working really hard together.”

The most lasting moment from the linebacker corps was something Locksley won’t want to see — junior Michael Harris’ late shove on freshman running back Iverson Howard drew a 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty, which set the Red Team up for a potential game-tying field goal. Ryan Capriotti sent his effort wide right, though, sealing the game for the White Team.

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