Overview

• 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.