WATCH: USC Five-Star Plus+ QB commit Malachi Nelson finds his receiver downfield

Los Alamitos (Calif.) Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Malachi Nelson is one of the top signal-callers in the 2023 cycle. On Friday night against Newport Beach (Calif.) Newport Harbor, the USC commit showcased his arm talent on a long throw.

After dropping back, he found wide receiver Kassius Ashtiani open downfield for a 56-yard gain. This play, in addition to multiple passing touchdowns from Nelson, helped Los Alamitos take a 39-14 lead at halftime.

USC Five-Star Plus+ QB commit Malachi Nelson finds his receiver downfield!https://t.co/VEY9xigRPFpic.twitter.com/KInRw7Nm3K

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) October 1, 2022

Nelson is the No. 3 overall prospect and No. 2 quarterback in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 1 player in California. 

The 6-foot-3, 182 pound signal-caller is the top prospect in the Trojans’ 2023 recruiting class, which ranks No. 14 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings and No. 2 in the Pac-12. He has been committed to head coach Lincoln Riley and his staff since Nov. 30, 2021.

For more USC recruiting intel, check out WeAreSC.

Nelson has an On3 NIL Valuation of $763K. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Malachi Nelson On3 Scouting Summary

The following is the On3 Scouting Summary for Malachi Nelson:

“Quick-armed, accurate passer with strong functional movement skills. Considered one of the more talented quarterback prospects in high school football dating back to his early high school career. A natural, nuanced passer with a quick release. Shows some aggressive tendencies in throwing downfield. Has touch with the ability to layer his throws. Accurate with good ball placement dating back to his sophomore spring season which was shortened due to COVID-19. Good arm strength, which could improve with overall strength progression. 

“Adept at running the quick game out of spread looks, flipping the ball out quick to the boundary. Loose and fluid in his movements. Plays with bouncy footwork and lower body twitch. Looks to pass first, but has good burst as a runner with the ability to run zone read or pick up yards when the play breaks down. Plays at a relaxed pace and typically seems unbothered in the pocket. Has a lean, streamline frame and will need to continue adding mass.”