Maryland’s Billy Edwards Jr. Shines as Starting QB Ahead of Northwestern Matchup

Billy Edwards Jr., the starting quarterback for the University of Maryland Terrapins, has been making significant waves in the college football scene. After waiting three seasons and transferring from Wake Forest, Edwards has finally earned his moment to lead the Terps. His journey, marked by perseverance and hard work, has been a testament to his dedication to the sport.

Edwards, a native of Springfield, Virginia, had a stellar high school career at Lake Braddock Secondary School, where his father served as the defensive coordinator. Despite his impressive stats, including over 5,000 passing yards and 750 rushing yards for 65 total touchdowns, he was not highly ranked as a recruit. The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated his senior year, as he did not take the field. Wake Forest was the only Power Four conference school to offer him a scholarship, but he did not see any game time during his one season there.

The decision to transfer to Maryland was motivated by a desire to be closer to home and to have a clearer path to playing time. Edwards’ familiarity with Maryland’s football program, including his relationship with Coach Michael Locksley and former assistants, as well as his brother’s role as a graduate assistant, made the transition seamless. His father also played for Maryland in 1985, adding a personal connection to the team.

Edwards has quickly distinguished himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten. He recently broke the single-game school record for completion percentage, completing 87.5% of his passes against Villanova. Coach Locksley has praised Edwards, stating that he is not only one of the best quarterbacks in the league but also in the country.

As the Terrapins prepare to face the Northwestern Wildcats on Friday, October 11, at SECU Stadium, Edwards’ performance will be crucial. The game, set to air on Fox Sports 1, will feature key players like Tai Felton, Roman Hemby, and Kaden Prather. Maryland is looking to build on their current 3-2 record, with Edwards at the helm of their offense.

The Terrapins have been strong on offense, averaging 304.8 passing yards per game and ranking 12th-best in the FBS. However, they have struggled on defense, particularly against the pass, allowing 269.4 passing yards per game. Edwards’ leadership and performance will be pivotal in overcoming these defensive challenges and securing a win against Northwestern.