The USC Trojans are in the midst of a difficult transition from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten this offseason. Not only did they finish 7-5 in 2023 despite being expected to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff, but they’re expected to lose presumptive No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams this offseason.
Now, amidst transfer portal rumors that Will Howard could join Lincoln Riley’s offense, former five-star QB Malachi Nelson is entering the portal.
Malachi Nelson Will Enter the Transfer Portal
Matt Zenitz of 247sports first reported the news. USC has certainly put itself into a precarious situation.
The 6’3″, 190-pound Nelson was highly touted for his playmaking ability, and losing him for a mediocre pocket passer like Howard speaks volumes about what Riley may have thought about Nelson’s ability to play in 2024. Time will tell if Riley is right.
Nelson committed to play football for Oklahoma as a quarterback during his high school years. However, he decommitted on Nov. 28, 2021, after his coach, Lincoln Riley, left to coach for USC. Afterward, Nelson changed his commitment and decided to play for USC under Riley.
Nelson was a highly sought-after quarterback and the top recruit in California, coming from Los Alamitos. He was also named the national Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022. During his senior year in high school, he threw for 2,898 yards, 35 touchdowns, and only four interceptions.
He was offered by most top schools, including Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, and Michigan, amongst many others.
MORE: 2023 All-Transfer Portal College Football Team and Individual Honors
He started his studies early at USC but spent this past season behind another quarterback named Williams. Nelson only played in one game, attempting three passes and completing one. This allowed him to use his redshirt, so he has four years of eligibility remaining.
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!