Former USC and Boise State quarterback Malachi Nelson has dedicated to UTEP, sources instructed ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
The previous five-star was the No. 1 total recruit in ESPN’s Class of 2023 and can be UTEP’s highest ranked recruit ever. He entered the portal for the second time in his school profession on Dec. 12.
Nelson, who has three years of eligibility remaining, turned down high-profile and extra profitable alternatives due to his religion in UTEP coach Scotty Walden, per ESPN sources.
After being initially dedicated to Oklahoma whereas nonetheless at Los Alamitos Excessive Faculty in Southern California, Nelson flipped to USC and adopted head coach Lincoln Riley there as soon as he took the job with the Trojans in late 2021.
Nelson was an early enrollee who spent his first yr at USC behind starter Caleb Williams and backup Miller Moss. He tried solely three passes in restricted motion through the 2023 season earlier than transferring to Boise State final offseason the place he competed for the beginning job.
Previous to the beginning of the 2024 season, Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson named redshirt sophomore Maddux Madsen the starter over Nelson. Madsen went on to guide the Broncos to a 12-2 season and a Faculty Soccer Playoff look.
After being unable to win the beginning job with the Broncos, Nelson spent his yr backing up Madsen. In three video games final season, Nelson accomplished 12 of his 17 move makes an attempt for 66 yards earlier than re-entering the portal.
Because the nation’s top-ranked highschool prospect, Nelson threw for two,898 yards and 35 touchdowns in his senior season at Los Alamitos and received back-to-back California Gatorade Participant of the Yr honors. Nelson initially fielded gives from Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame.