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Football

Boise State QB Malachi Nelson Enters Transfer Portal Again

2024-12-12

Eli Lederman, ESPN Staff Writer, brings us the story of Boise State quarterback Malachi Nelson. In 2023, Nelson began his college career at USC but later transferred to Boise State. This fall, he appeared in three games with the Broncos. Standing at 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 190 pounds, Nelson was once a highly coveted prospect in the quarterback pipeline. He was one of two five-star recruits in USC's 2023 class but took only four snaps in his debut campaign. After his freshman season, he entered the transfer portal last December.

Attracting Interest and Committing to Boise State

Upon entering the transfer portal, Nelson attracted the attention of many high-profile programs. In January, he committed to Boise State, hoping to compete for the starting job under first-year coach Spencer Danielson. Nelson had the opportunity to showcase his skills after quarterback Taylen Green transferred to Arkansas. However, in the fall camp quarterback battle, he ultimately lost out to redshirt sophomore Maddux Madsen. Madsen completed 62% of his passes for 2,714 yards and 22 touchdowns with three interceptions during the regular season, guiding Boise State to a College Football Playoff berth alongside Heisman Trophy finalist Ashton Jeanty. Nelson made three appearances off the bench in blowout wins, completing 12 of 17 passes for 128 yards with no touchdowns and an interception.

High School Achievements

As the nation's top-ranked high school prospect, Nelson had an impressive senior season at California's Los Alamitos High School. He threw for 2,898 yards and 35 touchdowns. His high school career was marked by back-to-back California Gatorade Player of the Year honors. In November 2021, he initially committed to USC over offers from Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame, among others.

College Career So Far

Nelson's college career has had its ups and downs. After starting at USC, he transferred to Boise State and faced tough competition. Despite not winning the starting job, he still got the chance to play in some games and gain valuable experience. His journey shows the challenges and opportunities that come with being a highly touted recruit.