Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Staff Writer January 7, 2024, 9:31 am
Close
- ESPN Staff
- Joined ESPN in 2011
- Graduated from Central Michigan
Quarterback Malachi Nelson, the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 class, announced Saturday that he is transferring to Boise State.
Nelson entered the transfer portal on December 18, leaving USC after just one season. He sat behind Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams and Miller Moss this season and threw just three passes.
The 6-foot, 190-pound Nelson, originally from Los Alamitos, Calif., transferred to Oklahoma when Lincoln Riley was the coach. Nelson moved to USC when Riley took the head coaching job there.
Editor favorites
1 relative
Nelson threw for 2,898 yards, 35 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in his final high school season and was named California's Gatorade Player of the Year.
Boise State lost quarterback Taylen Green to a transfer to Arkansas this offseason. This season he threw for 1,752 yards, 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 11 games. Coach Spencer Danielson returns Maddux Madsen, who threw for 1,191 yards, 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions but struggled with an injury that prevented him from playing in nine games.
Nelson recently visited Boise State and announced his decision Social media Saturday night.
Nelson gives the Broncos a quality quarterback that the team hasn't had yet. Since he still has four years of eligibility, he could be a long-term solution for the coaches.