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Message: [QUOTE="BillSU, post: 5640803, member: 6809"] [HEADING=2][I][B]QB Malachi Nelson (CA) TRANSFERRING TO SYRACUSE (1/16/26) [/B][/I][/HEADING] [I][B][URL='https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/author/kevin-borba']Kevin Borba[/URL]|Jan 16, 2026 [IMG alt="Texas El Paso Miners quarterback Malachi Nelson (7) looks to throw a pass during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images"]https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_4116,h_2315/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/college_football_hq/01kf4gc7bgfjf2adc30a.jpg[/IMG] Texas El Paso Miners quarterback Malachi Nelson (7) looks to throw a pass during the first half against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images In this story: [URL='https://www.si.com/college/college-football/team/usc-trojans']USC Trojans[/URL][URL='https://www.si.com/college/college-football/team/syracuse-orange']Syracuse Orange[/URL][URL='https://www.si.com/college/college-football/team/boise-state-broncos']Boise State Broncos[/URL][URL='https://www.si.com/college/college-football/team/utep-miners']UTEP Miners[/URL] [URL='https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=si.com']Add us on[IMG alt="Google Discover"]https://assets.minutemediacdn.com/platform/google_discover_icon.svg[/IMG][/URL][/B][/I] [HR][/HR] [I][B]Kristy Curry's opening statement after losing to Tennessee [I][B][I][B][I][B][I][B][/B][/I][/B][/I][/B][/I][/B][/I] With over 10,000 college football players across every level in the NCAA transfer portal, there were quite a few names that fans were familiar with. In line with a common trend over the past few years, a slew of former five-star quarterbacks entered their names into the transfer portal. The heavy hitters included names like DJ Lagway (Baylor), Deuce Knight (Ole Miss) and Husan Longstreet (LSU). While those three quarterbacks are looking for an opportunity to have a clear path to the field or revive their respective careers with a fresh start, not every former five-star quarterback is the same. As revealed on Friday, ESPN's No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class, Malachi Nelson, announced that he'd be committing to Syracuse. [/B][/I] [I][B]For Nelson, the move not only marks a return to the Power 4 level, but it also marks the fourth school of his college football career. As a recruit, Nelson was committed to play for Lincoln Riley while he was still at Oklahoma. Once Riley bolted for the USC job, Nelson flipped his commitment to the Trojans in November of 2021. Unfortunately for the Southern California native, a shoulder injury on his non-throwing arm led to him being behind in workouts, and ultimately led to him falling on the depth chart. With Riley known for bringing in transfer portal quarterbacks, Nelson opted to leave, He sought out a clear path to the field, landing at Boise State ahead of the 2024 season. He was beaten out by Maddux Madsen, who, along with Ashton Jeanty, led the team to the College Football Playoff. With Madsen returning in 2025, Nelson ended up at UTEP. [IMG alt="UTEP’s Malachi Nelson (7) throws."]https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2458,h_1382/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/college_football_hq/01kf4rwm5pxx4s33dpgh.jpg[/IMG] UTEP’s Malachi Nelson (7) throws the ball during a game against Louisiana-Monroe at the Sun Bowl. | Gaby Velasquez / El Paso Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Nelson won the Miners' starting quarterback role at the beginning of the year, but found himself benched in favor of Skyler Locklear. In his lone year in El Paso, Nelson threw for 1,163 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions, while completing 54.7% of his passes. He marks the third transfer quarterback that the Orange have added, as they also brought in Danny Lauter from Georgetown and Amari Odom from Kennesaw State. [/B][/I] [B][I]While Nelson has yet to show he can consistently produce at the FBS level, he did have a game against Louisiana-Monroe in which he threw for 404 yards and three touchdowns. Odom is the likely favorite to win the quarterback battle for the Orange, but considering Brown started a former blue-chip lacrosse recruit who was a walk-on, it's clear anyone has a chance if they earn it. [B][I][URL unfurl="true"]https://www.si.com/fannation/college/cfb-hq/transfer-portal/former-no-1-qb-malachi-nelson-commit-syracuse[/URL][/I][/B][/I][/B] [I][B]Former five-star recruit QB [URL='https://www.google.com/search?q=Malachi+Nelson&sca_esv=109423f6832a2638&biw=1234&bih=908&aic=0&sxsrf=ANbL-n64HwKLD0Ne4JVlfnYQczYNGnv-fg%3A1768865170837&ei=kr1uac7sMr_j5NoPyrDWyQs&ved=2ahUKEwiM1deu4JiSAxXpF1kFHdz9KtQQgK4QegQIARAD&uact=5&oq=QB+Malachi+Nelson+%28CA%29+TRANSFERRING+TO+SYRACUSE+%281%2F16%2F26%29+FOOTBALL+PLAYER&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiSVFCIE1hbGFjaGkgTmVsc29uIChDQSkgVFJBTlNGRVJSSU5HIFRPIFNZUkFDVVNFICgxLzE2LzI2KSBGT09UQkFMTCBQTEFZRVIyBhAAGAcYHjINEAAYgAQYigUYQxixAzIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB4yBhAAGAcYHjIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB4yBhAAGAcYHjILEC4YgAQYigUYkQIyBhAAGAcYHki-dVAAWMU8cAB4AZABAJgBlwGgAZcBqgEDMC4xuAEDyAEA-AEB-AECmAIBoAKpAZgDAJIHAzAuMaAHhA2yBwMwLjG4B6kBwgcDMy0xyAcOgAgB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfCmhCV6Kc_GWxIdHSlMyJmYluttlnbaf8phVr6ay1pIXksNU3ZbmRacpcwJlxqQDeJyM91g8m49hpScVyQuAvyWYyr3BTzrE6FJN3AuI9cY5_iuT-Xamt9oviRDJB8twgKaGN3MsqenTSTcn25OLRk_9o8Rd3R-N5gqMOOdtFJdpZqWzporog7aKbVNRBOU8mjxkBoHeD4mQMwM8kcDq93HFw&csui=3']Malachi Nelson[/URL] transferred to [URL='https://www.google.com/search?q=Syracuse&sca_esv=109423f6832a2638&biw=1234&bih=908&aic=0&sxsrf=ANbL-n64HwKLD0Ne4JVlfnYQczYNGnv-fg%3A1768865170837&ei=kr1uac7sMr_j5NoPyrDWyQs&ved=2ahUKEwiM1deu4JiSAxXpF1kFHdz9KtQQgK4QegQIARAE&uact=5&oq=QB+Malachi+Nelson+%28CA%29+TRANSFERRING+TO+SYRACUSE+%281%2F16%2F26%29+FOOTBALL+PLAYER&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiSVFCIE1hbGFjaGkgTmVsc29uIChDQSkgVFJBTlNGRVJSSU5HIFRPIFNZUkFDVVNFICgxLzE2LzI2KSBGT09UQkFMTCBQTEFZRVIyBhAAGAcYHjINEAAYgAQYigUYQxixAzIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB4yBhAAGAcYHjIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB4yBhAAGAcYHjILEC4YgAQYigUYkQIyBhAAGAcYHki-dVAAWMU8cAB4AZABAJgBlwGgAZcBqgEDMC4xuAEDyAEA-AEB-AECmAIBoAKpAZgDAJIHAzAuMaAHhA2yBwMwLjG4B6kBwgcDMy0xyAcOgAgB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfCmhCV6Kc_GWxIdHSlMyJmYluttlnbaf8phVr6ay1pIXksNU3ZbmRacpcwJlxqQDeJyM91g8m49hpScVyQuAvyWYyr3BTzrE6FJN3AuI9cY5_iuT-Xamt9oviRDJB8twgKaGN3MsqenTSTcn25OLRk_9o8Rd3R-N5gqMOOdtFJdpZqWzporog7aKbVNRBOU8mjxkBoHeD4mQMwM8kcDq93HFw&csui=3']Syracuse[/URL] (the Orange) on January 16, 2026, a move confirmed by ESPN's Pete Thamel. He's expected to compete for the starting job, bringing significant talent but also seeking stability after previous stops at USC, [URL='https://www.google.com/search?q=Boise+State&sca_esv=109423f6832a2638&biw=1234&bih=908&aic=0&sxsrf=ANbL-n64HwKLD0Ne4JVlfnYQczYNGnv-fg%3A1768865170837&ei=kr1uac7sMr_j5NoPyrDWyQs&ved=2ahUKEwiM1deu4JiSAxXpF1kFHdz9KtQQgK4QegQIARAG&uact=5&oq=QB+Malachi+Nelson+%28CA%29+TRANSFERRING+TO+SYRACUSE+%281%2F16%2F26%29+FOOTBALL+PLAYER&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiSVFCIE1hbGFjaGkgTmVsc29uIChDQSkgVFJBTlNGRVJSSU5HIFRPIFNZUkFDVVNFICgxLzE2LzI2KSBGT09UQkFMTCBQTEFZRVIyBhAAGAcYHjINEAAYgAQYigUYQxixAzIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB4yBhAAGAcYHjIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB4yBhAAGAcYHjILEC4YgAQYigUYkQIyBhAAGAcYHki-dVAAWMU8cAB4AZABAJgBlwGgAZcBqgEDMC4xuAEDyAEA-AEB-AECmAIBoAKpAZgDAJIHAzAuMaAHhA2yBwMwLjG4B6kBwgcDMy0xyAcOgAgB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfCmhCV6Kc_GWxIdHSlMyJmYluttlnbaf8phVr6ay1pIXksNU3ZbmRacpcwJlxqQDeJyM91g8m49hpScVyQuAvyWYyr3BTzrE6FJN3AuI9cY5_iuT-Xamt9oviRDJB8twgKaGN3MsqenTSTcn25OLRk_9o8Rd3R-N5gqMOOdtFJdpZqWzporog7aKbVNRBOU8mjxkBoHeD4mQMwM8kcDq93HFw&csui=3']Boise State[/URL], and [URL='https://www.google.com/search?q=UTEP&sca_esv=109423f6832a2638&biw=1234&bih=908&aic=0&sxsrf=ANbL-n64HwKLD0Ne4JVlfnYQczYNGnv-fg%3A1768865170837&ei=kr1uac7sMr_j5NoPyrDWyQs&ved=2ahUKEwiM1deu4JiSAxXpF1kFHdz9KtQQgK4QegQIARAH&uact=5&oq=QB+Malachi+Nelson+%28CA%29+TRANSFERRING+TO+SYRACUSE+%281%2F16%2F26%29+FOOTBALL+PLAYER&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiSVFCIE1hbGFjaGkgTmVsc29uIChDQSkgVFJBTlNGRVJSSU5HIFRPIFNZUkFDVVNFICgxLzE2LzI2KSBGT09UQkFMTCBQTEFZRVIyBhAAGAcYHjINEAAYgAQYigUYQxixAzIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB4yBhAAGAcYHjIGEAAYBxgeMgYQABgHGB4yBhAAGAcYHjILEC4YgAQYigUYkQIyBhAAGAcYHki-dVAAWMU8cAB4AZABAJgBlwGgAZcBqgEDMC4xuAEDyAEA-AEB-AECmAIBoAKpAZgDAJIHAzAuMaAHhA2yBwMwLjG4B6kBwgcDMy0xyAcOgAgB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp&mstk=AUtExfCmhCV6Kc_GWxIdHSlMyJmYluttlnbaf8phVr6ay1pIXksNU3ZbmRacpcwJlxqQDeJyM91g8m49hpScVyQuAvyWYyr3BTzrE6FJN3AuI9cY5_iuT-Xamt9oviRDJB8twgKaGN3MsqenTSTcn25OLRk_9o8Rd3R-N5gqMOOdtFJdpZqWzporog7aKbVNRBOU8mjxkBoHeD4mQMwM8kcDq93HFw&csui=3']UTEP[/URL], marking his fourth college program with two years of eligibility remaining. Key Details:[/B][/I] [LIST] [*][I][B][I][B]Commitment: Announced January 16, 2026, during the transfer portal window.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [*][I][B][I][B]Previous Schools: Began at USC, transferred to Boise State, then UTEP.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [*][I][B][I][B]Recruiting Status: Was the #1 overall recruit in the 2023 class by ESPN.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [*][I][B][I][B]Expectation: To challenge for the starting QB role for Syracuse in the upcoming 2026 season.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [*][I][B][I][B]Previous Performance (UTEP 2025): Started six games, throwing for 1,163 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.[/B][/I][URL unfurl="true"]https://www.google.com/search?q=QB+Malachi+Nelson+%28CA%29+TRANSFERRING+TO+SYRACUS[/URL][/B][/I] [/LIST] [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?