Former USC QB Already Struggling at New School
By Jovan Alford
Former USC Trojans quarterback Malachi Nelson was one of the higher-profile quarterbacks in the transfer portal this offseason.
Nelson was the No. 1 overall recruit in 2023, left USC in the spring, and shockingly transferred to Boise State to jumpstart his college career. The former Trojans didn’t play much in his lone season at USC, taking four snaps against San Jose State.
Nonetheless, the highly decorated high school star won’t see much playing time to start his career with the Broncos. On Sunday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that redshirt sophomore Maddux Madsen beat out Nelson and will be Boise State’s starting QB for their opener against Georgia Southern.
Sources: Boise State has named redshirt sophomore quarterback Maddux Madsen as the starting quarterback for the opener at Georgia Southern. Madsen has been in a close competition with former No. 1 overall recruit Malachi Nelson, who transferred from USC this spring. pic.twitter.com/fwKM0AMc8Z
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 18, 2024
Thamel also reported that Boise State’s coaches stressed how close the competition was between Maddux and Nelso for the starting job.
This is disappointing news for the former Trojans quarterback, who put up gaudy numbers in high school and has the skills to be one of the best QBs in the MWC. However, it was fighting an uphill battle to usurp Maddux, who won the starting job last year over Taylen Green before getting injured.
Green left Boise State in the offseason and transferred to Arkansas. It would’ve been tough for Nelson to beat out Maddux, who has college football experience. That said, Nelson’s journey is just getting started at Boise State.
It will be interesting to see if Nelson gets playing time before conference play, especially when they play teams such as Georgia Southern and Portland State (FCS) to start the season.
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