Lincoln Riley Assesses USC Quarterback Malachi Nelson to This Point in Spring Ball
USC fans likely don’t want to think about life without Caleb Williams. But a year from now, the USC practice field could be home to one of the biggest quarterback battles in all of college football. Head coach Lincoln Riley might be getting a preview of it this spring. Miller Moss and true freshman Malachi Nelson are battling to be the backup to Williams this season.
Riley was asked early this week how Nelson was faring early in his college career. Expectations are certainly high for the former Five-Star Plus+ prospect who finished as the nation’s No. 11 overall recruit in the On3 Industry Rankings.
“He’s done well,” Riley said, adding that Williams, Moss, Nelson and Jake Jensen are all getting reps this spring. “He’s taken advantage of having those three older quarterbacks in the room that are obviously there to help him and guide him along. And then show him pretty good examples about how we want to do it.”
The fact that Nelson is participating in spring at all is a positive development. He underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder this offseason, which put his availability in doubt. Riley said he is unable to participate in anything full contact this spring. Though, that doesn’t limit him much because quarterbacks are always non-contact in practice. Riley did say that it’s evident that Nelson is not physically 100% as he continues his recovery process.
“He’s smart,” Riley said. “He retains things well…The mental work that he’s getting right now is great and will pay dividends.”
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Moss, as USC’s No. 2 quarterback, didn’t get much time on the field in 2022. He participated in five games and threw just 14 passes. Though, he completed an impressive 12 of those for 159 yards and a touchdown. Riley said they had hoped to get the backup more work but games didn’t get lopsided enough to pull Williams.
Williams also made it difficult to go to the bench at times. Not only was his play that good, but he was able to play through injury in the Pac-12 championship game and Cotton Bowl. But having a No. 2 quarterback ready to go this fall will be vital.
“He’s impressed with some of his recall and the things he’s doing as a freshman,” Riley said. “He’s learning a lot, which will set the stage for him to really go have a great offseason like he’s going to need. Both physically and mentally, to get ready to compete when August gets here.”
Moss Making Plays for USC
Moss won’t be forgotten in this competition.
USC Football posted a video to Twitter on Wednesday that showed wide receiver Mario Williams hauling in a touchdown pass. Williams got the credit and the tag, but that beautifully thrown ball came from Moss.
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