Five-Star Plus+ QB Malachi Nelson affirms USC commitment in recent podcast appearance

In late July, Los Alamitos (Calif.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Malachi Nelson took an unofficial visit to Texas A&M. Questions quickly arose as to whether the 6-foot-3, 182 pound signal-caller would stay committed to USC.

For now, Nelson has silenced those doubts. On a podcast appearance with Recruiting Blitz Powered by UCReport, the five-star recruit shared that even though his recruitment will be “on the backburner” during his senior season, he is planning to help the Trojans’ 2023 recruiting class get even better.

“You know, obviously, I’m committed to USC and that’s where my head is at right now,” Nelson said. “It’s focused on building that class. You know, winning some football games. I still got my senior year to play. I’m not, you know, gonna let those outside things, kind of, distract me. At this point, man, you only get one senior year, right, so I’m trying to go out on top with my brothers.”

Nelson, who is preparing for a matchup against Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage, has not scheduled any visits for the fall. Nelson also gave some insight on his trip to see the Aggies.

“It’s great people over there,” Nelson said of Texas A&M. “Man, recruiting, it’s crazy. You know, I’m not gonna say anything bad about them cause I mean, all these people, I have great relationships with people all over the place.”

Nelson talks about his decision to commit to USC

At one point, Nelson was the gem of Oklahoma‘s 2023 recruiting class. He was previously committed to the Sooners alongside other top recruits including current Ohio State pledge and Miami Gardens (Fla.) American Heritage five-star wide receiver Brandon Inniss.

Yet everything changed when Riley departed Norman for the USC job. Nelson decommitted from the Sooners on Nov. 28 and announced his commitment to the Trojans two days later.

“We started to build a class and you know, obviously, everything kind of unfolded and happened,” said Nelson, the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2023 On3 Consensus. “When (Riley) made the move, you know, it was pretty simple enough for me and my family. At the beginning, we were choosing between, you know, staying home or, you know, going with Lincoln. You know, when coach Riley made the move, it all made sense in the end. You know, it worked out and we couldn’t be happier. You know, my parents definitely could not be happier, so it worked out.”

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Nelson praises USC WR commit Zachariah Branch

There are only five players in the 2023 cycle with Five-Star Plus+ status. Two of them, Nelson and Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman wide receiver Zachariah Branch, are committed to USC.

Branch, the No. 4 overall prospect and No. 1 wide receiver in the On3 Consensus, also visited College Station, taking an official visit to Texas A&M on June 24. Yet both Branch and Nelson officially visited the Trojans on June 17. At the moment, both players seem locked in with USC, whose class ranks No. 12 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 1 in the Pac-12.

“Words don’t describe that kid,” Nelson said. “I mean, man, he’s special. I mean, he’s lightning in a bottle. I mean, great hands and man, I don’t even want to say, I mean, it’s wild, the things he can do, you know, on the field. He’s really talented.”

Branch also has a big matchup this weekend as Bishop Gorman will be taking Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei. The 5-foot-10, 176 pound wideout is the Trojans’ second wide receiver commit alongside Los Alamitos (Calif.) four-star Makai Lemon, Nelson’s high school teammate.

“He’s a great kid, great family, obviously a great football player,” Nelson said of Branch. “So, you know, we’re definitely excited to have him.”