Former five-star quarterback Malachi Nelson, a transfer from USC and one of the most sought-after quarterbacks currently in the transfer portal, will arrive in Boise on Thursday night to begin an official visit at Boise State, sources tell Bronco Nation News.
According to a report from ESPN.com, the Broncos are the favorites to land Nelson – who was the No. 1 ranked prospect in the entire 2023 class according to ESPN.com but played just four snaps while redshirting at USC in 2023.
BNN confirmed Nelson will arrive in Boise late Thursday to begin his official visit on Friday.
Boise State is looking to add at least one quarterback and potentially two with the departure of Taylen Green to Arkansas. Bosie State currently has just two scholarship quarterbacks – Maddux Madsen and CJ Tiller – on the roster with a third, true freshman Kaleb Annett, on his way in the summer.
Nelson passed for 2,898 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior at Los Alamitos High School in Southern California and had offers from Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Michigan before signing with USC. But he was behind potential No. 1 pick Caleb Williams on the depth chart and played just four snaps.
Sources told Bronco Nation News that Boise State feels good about the chances of landing Nelson given the situation they offer – a chance to start for a premier Group of 5 program and the chance to potentially play in the expanded College Football Playoff right away in 2024.
Other schools are rumored to have offered higher NIL packages to Nelson, but the chance for immediate playing time could prove to be the big carrot for the Broncos to offer.
Here’s the original report from ESPN, which noted a strong relationship between Nelson and Boise State offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan, who first recruited him while an assistant coach at Washington.
Landing Nelson would be another huge win for first-year coach Spencer Danielson, who already convinced star running back Ashton Jeanty to stay with the Broncos for 2024.
The addition of Nelson would likely make Boise State the early Group of Five favorite, which this year comes with a spot in the expanded College Football Playoff.
Bronco Nation News will continue to follow this story closely. Check back for updates…
