In what has to be considered one of the biggest transfer portal coups of the year, the Boise State Broncos have received a surprising commitment from Malachi Nelson, the #1 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class. Nelson himself was the one who broke the news on Twitter, simply tweeting, “Boise, this is it.. Committed #BleedBlue.” Short and sweet, just like Nelson's stay at USC.
Malachi Nelson is a California kid who originally committed to play for Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma before Riley departed Norman for the City of Angels. Nelson followed Riley to USC, and in his freshman year, sat behind both reigning Heisman Trophy winner and presumptive number one pick in the 2024 NFL Draft Caleb Williams, and Miller Moss, who made his first career start in the Holiday Bowl and threw six touchdown passes in the Trojans win over Louisville. Nelson, not seeing a clear path to playing time, entered the transfer portal and has now decided, surprisingly, on Boise State.
Why Boise State was Malachi Nelson's choice remains a mystery. The Broncos were indeed a powerhouse in both the WAC and the Mountain West in the past two decades, winning three Fiesta Bowl's in a nine season span, and compiling a 104-15 record in that stretch. But since former head coach Chris Petersen and record-setting quarterback Kellen Moore departed the program, Boise State has taken the step back from legitimate perennial National Title contender to just another solid program outside of the Power 5.
Malachi Nelson grew up in Los Alamitos, California, just a shade over an hour north of Solana Beach, California, the home of new Boise State Broncos head coach Spencer Danielson. Maybe that west coast connection has something to do with it. Maybe Spencer Danielson, Boise's 35-year-old first year coach, made a lasting impact when Nelson visited the campus. Maybe it's the blue turf. Or maybe it's just that with Taylen Green transferring to Arkansas, Nelson saw an opening where he could step in and start right away.
It would be a great story if Nelson remained at Boise State for the remainder of his college career and helped re-elevate Boise State back to where they were as a program a decade ago. But we all know how this works. If Nelson comes in and plays well in his first season with the Broncos, the allure of the transfer portal could very well send Nelson elsewhere sooner rather than later.
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