Quarterback Malachi Nelson, one of the top players in USC’s recruiting Class of 2023, is reportedly headed into the transfer portal.
The news was reported on Sunday night by Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports.
“USC five-star freshman QB Malachi Nelson is expected to enter the transfer portal,” Zenitz reported on Twitter/X.
USC five-star freshman QB Malachi Nelson is expected to enter the transfer portal, sources tell @247sports
https://t.co/6Cw7NKmknb pic.twitter.com/Y9ll08gSXL
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) December 18, 2023
Nelson was a five-star recruit out of Los Alamitos, CA, in Orange County. He signed with USC in 2021, shortly after Lincoln Riley was hired as coach.
Nelson was coming off of surgery and behind 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams on the depth chart. So as expected, he played sparingly in 2023, appearing only in the season-opening win over San Jose State will attempting only three passes (completing one) in the blowout win.
The news of Nelson’s from USC coincides with strong rumors that Will Howard, who entered the transfer portal from Kansas State, will soon join the Trojans. It also generated mixed feelings in the college football world.
To some observers, Nelson was not patient enough, knowing he’d be the clear favorite to take over in 2025. To others, Riley and the Trojans were looking more for the quick fix than trying to play someone who could be a multi-year cornerstone player for the program.
When Lincoln Riley was doing in-home visits with Will Howard, you knew this was coming. https://t.co/e0buPXJDss
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) December 18, 2023
Don’t really get this one. Howard is a one year rental. He redshirted this year and he could be the guy in 2025.
— Penn State Talk (@PSURecruitTalk) December 18, 2023
Some of these college coaches are selling their souls for instant gratification in the portal.
1 year with Will Howard, or 3-4 with Nelson?
— Mike 🌽 (@HuskerMike28) December 18, 2023
THIS IS WTF I WAS TALKING ABOUT!! Trojan fans were banging the drum for a transfer QB and USC not even giving their QB recruits a chance. I get Riley is a “QB Guru” but come on now….
So what’s the point of recruiting QBs in this college football era??? Smdh#FightOn ✌🏿 https://t.co/wo4J2Mvhds
— Sacramento Trojan ✌🏿 (@916Trojan) December 18, 2023
This is like NBA free agency on steroids https://t.co/CU23wKroQJ
— University of Tampering (@Doc_Texas) December 18, 2023
[Matt Zenitz on Twitter/X]
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