{"id":394232,"date":"2026-01-08T01:49:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T01:49:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/394232\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T01:49:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T01:49:07","slug":"utep-quarterback-malachi-nelson-plans-to-enter-ncaa-transfer-portal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/394232\/","title":{"rendered":"UTEP quarterback Malachi Nelson plans to enter NCAA transfer portal"},"content":{"rendered":"

According to On3\u2019s Pete Nakos<\/a>, UTEP<\/a> quarterback Malachi Nelson<\/a> plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal<\/a>. Nelson is a former highly rated recruit who has bounced around throughout his career. After a short stint in El Paso with the Miners, the plan appears to be to hit the open market once again.<\/p>\n

Nelson saw action in six games this past season for UTEP. He threw for 1,163 yards, eight touchdowns, and nine interceptions while completing 54.7% of his throws. UTEP head coach Scotty Walden<\/a> named Nelson as the team\u2019s starting quarterback to begin the season. By Oct. 8, Nelson had made his last appearance.<\/p>\n

\u201cMalachi is as talented as anyone I\u2019ve ever coached,\u201d Walden said<\/a> this past summer. \u201cHis arm talent is unbelievable. Now that he\u2019s here, I can see the game slowing down for him this summer, so that\u2019s been good to see. I can\u2019t speak for when he was recruited at USC<\/a> or anything like that, but what I found so impressive about him in the recruiting process and even with him now was his humility. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s got a lot of humility. This guy genuinely loves ball. He wants to be the best. He knows when he does well and he knows when he needs to do better. I\u2019ve been super impressed with his work ethic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nelson played high school football at Los Alamitos<\/a> (CA), where he was a Five-Star Plus+<\/a> prospect. He was the No. 11 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle<\/a>, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking<\/a>, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.<\/p>\n

USC and head coach Lincoln Riley<\/a> won Nelson\u2019s signature coming out of high school. Just one season was spent in Los Angeles before leaving in favor of Boise State<\/a>. Nelson was on the roster for the Broncos\u2019 run to the College Football Playoff<\/a> but was not the starter.<\/p>\n

Between his time at USC and Boise State, Nelson played in four games. Twenty passes were thrown, primarily in his second destination. Those added up to 128 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. Nelson will be hoping to find a more consistent role wherever he winds up out of this offseason\u2019s portal cycle.<\/p>\n

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out\u00a0On3\u2019s Transfer Portal wire<\/a>. The On3 Transfer Portal\u00a0Instagram account<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Twitter account<\/a>\u00a0are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.<\/p>\n