USC Quarterback Malachi Nelson Expected to Enter Transfer Portal

Head Coach Lincoln Riley's Pursuit of Kansas State Transfer Will Howard May Have Influenced Decision

Malachi Nelson, a five-star recruit and former No. 1 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting cycle, is expected to enter the transfer portal, leaving USC's future at the quarterback position uncertain.
Nelson's decision comes amid speculation that USC's head coach, Lincoln Riley, is pursuing Kansas State transfer Will Howard.
Nelson, who was originally committed to Oklahoma, flipped his commitment to USC when Riley took over as head coach.
Nelson's departure leaves USC with only two scholarship quarterbacks, Miller Moss and Jake Jensen, with Moss expected to quarterback USC in the upcoming Holiday Bowl.
USC does not currently have a quarterback prospect committed in either its 2024 or 2025 class, leaving the future of the position unclear.