QB Malachi Nelson, '23 No. 1 recruit, transfers from USC to Boise St.

Field Level Media|published: Sun 7th January, 01:10 2024

Oct 28, 2023; Berkeley, California, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Malachi Nelson (8) before the game against the California Golden Bears at California Memorial Stadium. credits: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Boise State landed the No. 1 prospect in the Class of 2023, as quarterback Malachi Nelson announced on Saturday night that he is leaving Southern California after one season.

Per 247Sports, Nelson was the No. 24 overall available player in the portal.

"Boise, this is it," Nelson said on X. "Committed #BleedBlue"

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Nelson — a former five-star prospect — threw just three passes for USC this season, sitting behind 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and Miller Moss.

Nelson, who entered the transfer portal on Dec. 18, committed to Oklahoma when Lincoln Riley was the coach before opting to go to USC when Riley took the job with the Trojans.

Nelson was California's Gatorade Player of the Year in 2022, throwing for 2,898 yards, 35 touchdowns and four interceptions.

He will play for new Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson, who was promoted from interim coach on Dec. 3. Danielson went 3-0 and guided Boise State to the Mountain West Conference championship.

Quarterback Taylen Green transferred from Boise State to Arkansas this offseason after completing 57.1 percent of his passes for 1,752 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 13 games in 2023.

Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen is returning to the program, but he was limited to nine games last season due to injury. He completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 1,191 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

—Field Level Media

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