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Boise State QB transfer Malachi Nelson commits to UTEP

Barkley-Truaxby:Barkley Truax•01/05/25•

BarkleyTruax

NCAA Football: Utah State at Boise State
Oct 5, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos quarterback Malachi Nelson (7) looks to throw during the second half against the Utah State Aggies at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-Imagn Images

Former Boise State and USC QB Malachi Nelson has committed to UTEP out of the NCAA transfer portal per Pete Thamel.

During the 2024 season, he appeared in three games for the Broncos. During that stretch, he completed 12 of 17 passes for 128 yards and one interception. He will have three years of eligibility to play for UTEP.

Nelson began his career with USC after signing with the Trojans out of high school as a five-star prospect, according to the On3 Industry Rankings, which is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services. He was a consensus Five-Star Plus+ prospect and the No. 11 player overall in the class of 2023.

Nelson would leave the Trojans after one year. He appeared in just one game over the stretch. He ultimately transferred to join the Broncos football program. Ultimately, he was beaten out for the starting job during fall camp in favor of Maddux Madsen.

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Nelson opted to transfer away from the Boise State program to get ahead of the NCAA transfer portal window, as the Broncos earned a first-round bye into the College Football Playoff. They’re set to take on Penn State in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Eve, so instead of getting to experience the playoff it appears that he decided it best to get more out of the portal sooner.

He’ll look for a fresh start with the Miners.

The portal officially opened on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. More than 2,800 FBS scholarship players entered their names into the NCAA’s transfer database during the 2023-24 school year. Removing those who withdrew or went pro, the final total sat at 2,707 transfers.

That means roughly 25 percent of all FBS scholarship players hit free agency in one year, per On3’s Pete Nakos.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.