Malachi Nelson is Nearly Perfect in Season-Opening Win
Malachi Nelson started his senior season on the road Friday night. But USC’s 2023 quarterback commit looked right at home in helping his team post a 41-0 win over Bakersfield (Calif.) Garces Memorial.
In fact, the Five-Star Plus+ quarterback was nearly perfect on the night.
Nelson finished the first half 16-for-17 for 352 yards and five touchdown passes. Those scoring throws covered 63, 55, 50, 48 and 43 yards. Los Alamitos lead 34-0 at the half.
Nelson was sharp as always, but he got some help from his very good group of wide receivers.
On one score, Nelson found three-star athlete Ethan O’Connor in the flat. After initially bobbling it, O’Connor turned upfield and darted through defenders for a 63-yard score.
On the next scoring strike, Nelson took advantage of the defense crowding O’Connor at the line of scrimmage. A fake to him allowed a receiver to release wide open down the field. Nelson made the easy connection for a 48-yard score.
The scoring plays will get the most attention. But Nelson had a chance to show some of the complete package that makes him the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect in the 2023 On3 Consensus.
Early in the game and facing a third down, Nelson got immediate pressure from an unblocked defender to his left. Nelson was able to plant, accelerate and get outside the defender, locate teammate and fellow USC commit Makai Lemon downfield and throw a strike on the run against his body.
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Freshman quarterback Jaden O’Neal, who has a chance to be one of the top quarterback recruits in the 2026 class, finished the game and the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run.
Up Next for Los Alamitos
Nelson and Los Alamitos have a big-time challenge waiting for them next week.
The Griffins will travel to Florida to take on American Heritage on Saturday afternoon.
American Heritage is home to five-star wide receiver and Ohio State commit Brandon Inniss. He was once seen as a possible USC signee in his class. He, Nelson and Lemon played on the same South Florida Express 7-on-7 team this offseason.
Nelson will have his work cut out for him throwing against an elite secondary.
Safety Daemon Fagan is the nation’s No. 262 overall prospect and a North Carolina State commit. Fellow safety Shamar McNeil is a 6-foot-3, 175-pound prospect committed to Missouri. And cornerback Damari Brown is a four-star recruit, the nation’s No. 240 overall prospect and a Miami commitment.
It’s unfair to expect the same passing numbers from Nelson again. But this will be a real opportunity for him to show he belongs in the conversation as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 1 recruit in the country.
