Former top QB recruit Malachi Nelson transfers to Syracuse, joins 4th school
Former five-star recruit Malachi Nelson committed to Syracuse, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Friday. Nelson is SU's third quarterback addition through the portal. Lars Jendruschewitz | Senior Staff Photographer
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Syracuse made a major splash in the transfer portal Friday evening, landing former top quarterback recruit Malachi Nelson. Nelson, ESPN’s top player in the class of 2023, spent the last three seasons at USC, Boise State and UTEP with mixed results, throwing just eight touchdowns to nine interceptions.
According to 247Sports, Nelson received 25 Division I offers out of high school from powerhouse programs like Oregon, Penn State, LSU, Alabama and Georgia. But Nelson instead chose to join his hometown Trojans, who were coming off an 11-3 season and a one-point loss to Tulane in the Cotton Bowl.
Nelson spent his first year at USC stuck behind Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, and sank even lower on the depth chart. When Williams missed time at the end of the 2023 campaign as he prepared for the NFL, Miller Moss stepped in as his replacement.
At the end of the year, Nelson announced his transfer to Boise State. When he arrived, he was beaten out by Maddux Madsen in a fall camp competition and served a minimal role in the Broncos’ run to the College Football Playoff. With Boise State, Nelson completed 12-of-17 passes for 128 yards and one interception.
For UTEP, adding Nelson was a major coup. He was one of the most decorated recruits to ever join the Miners. Things looked to be trending upward when Nelson was named the starting signal caller in fall camp. But after six starts — where he threw for 1,163 yards and completed 54.7% of his passes — Nelson was replaced by Skyler Locklear. UTEP finished 2-10.
Nelson’s arrival gives the Orange reinforced depth under center after losing Rickie Collins and Luke Carney to the transfer portal. Syracuse also acquired Kennesaw State’s Amari Odom and Georgetown’s Danny Lauter, but with Steve Angeli returning from injury in 2026, Nelson’s playing time will likely be scarce.
