Boise State QB Malachi Nelson plans to enter NCAA Transfer Portal

Boise State redshirt freshman quarterback Malachi Nelson plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal after one season with the program.

Nelson signed with USC out of high school as a five-star prospect, but left the Trojans after one year where he appeared in just one game. He ultimately transferred to join the Broncos, but was beat out for the starting job this season by redshirt sophomore Maddux Madsen.

He has appeared in three games this season, completing 12 of 17 passes for 128 yards and one interception.

Nelson will be eligible immediately at his next school with three years of eligibility remaining.

More on the NCAA Transfer Portal

The college football transfer portal is scheduled to be open for 30 days during the 2024-25 academic year. The portal will open at the end of the regular season, the day after the College Football Playoff field and bowl games are announced. According to the NCAA, the portal will open for business Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, and close on Dec. 28.

The spring window in April remains. The portal will only be 10 days, lasting from April 16, 2025, and shutting down on April 25, 2025. The transfer portal will open for 30 days whenever a head coach leaves their program, allowing athletes to leave and decide on their future, according to NCAA guidelines.

With the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, the postseason will be longer. Athletes on teams that compete in the College Football Playoff and later bowl game will be allowed to enter an additional five-day transfer portal window in January after the portal closes.

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 — meaning that roughly 25% of all FBS scholarship players hit free agency in one year.