Former five-star quarterback recruit Malachi Nelson has signed with UTEP, the Miners announced via social media on Monday.
The 6-foot-3 passer was the No. 11-ranked player and No. 5 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class, per 247Sports’ Composite rankings, signing with the Trojans. He was originally committed to Oklahoma but flipped once Lincoln Riley departed Norman for Los Angeles.
Nelson turned down more lucrative opportunities at more successful programs to sign with UTEP because of his trust in coach Scotty Walden, ESPN reported Sunday.
Nelson entered the transfer portal after his freshman season with USC and expected to compete for the starting job at Boise State. There, he was beat out by Maddux Madsen, who alongside Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty led the Broncos to the College Football Playoff and a No. 3 seed after winning the Mountain West Conference.
Madsen’s success, of course, led to Nelson looking elsewhere.
Malachi Nelson 247Sports rating
As a recruit: No. 11 overall player | No. 5 QB | No. 2 player from state of California
As a transfer: No. 334 overall player | No. 30 QB
According to 247Sports’ Composite rankings, Nelson was a five-star quarterback coming out of Los Alamitos High School (California), ranked as the No. 11 overall player and No. 5 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class.
Malachi Nelson stats
In two collegiate seasons, Nelson completed 13 of 20 passes for 128 yards with no touchdowns to an interception, appearing exclusively in a reserve role.
The Los Alamitos, California, native held offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Oregon and Ohio State, among numerous others out of high school. He hopes to revive his career with UTEP, who finished with a 3-9 record in 2024.