Syracuse just made a splash in the quarterback room, landing former five-star recruit Malachi Nelson out of the transfer portal. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound signal caller is headed to Central New York after a winding journey that’s taken him from USC to Boise State to UTEP - and now, to the Orange. With two years of eligibility left, Nelson brings both upside and intrigue to a program looking to solidify its future under center.
Nelson’s 2025 season at UTEP was a mixed bag statistically, but it offered glimpses of the talent that once made him one of the most highly touted quarterbacks in the country. In six games, he threw for 1,163 yards, eight touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but context matters - and his breakout performance against ULM, where he racked up 404 yards and three touchdowns, showed what he’s capable of when things click.
What makes this addition particularly compelling for Syracuse is Nelson’s pedigree. Coming out of high school, he was ranked as the No. 13 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class by 247Sports, the fifth-best quarterback in the nation, and the No. 2 player in California. His recruitment was a who’s who of college football powerhouses - Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, LSU, Oklahoma, and dozens more were in the mix before he ultimately signed with USC.
So what’s Syracuse getting in Nelson? According to his high school scouting report, the raw tools were never in question.
He’s a natural passer with elite arm talent - the kind of quarterback who can make throws from multiple platforms and angles with impressive touch and velocity. His long frame gives him room to grow physically, and his footwork and mechanics were considered advanced for his age.
He’s not a burner, but he’s athletic enough to escape pressure and extend plays, always with his eyes downfield.
The biggest knock on Nelson coming out of high school was his interception rate - a bit high for a top-tier prospect - but that’s not uncommon for quarterbacks who are constantly trying to push the ball downfield and make plays. He’s a risk-taker, and with proper development, that aggressiveness can be refined into a real weapon.
For Syracuse, this is a bet on upside. Nelson’s college career hasn’t followed the linear path many expected when he was lighting up California high school defenses, but the talent is still there. And now, he gets a fresh start in a program that’s clearly willing to give him the keys - or at least let him compete for them.
This move adds another layer to a quarterback room that’s been reshaped through the portal and recruiting trail. Nelson brings high-ceiling potential, and if he can find consistency in the ACC, Syracuse might just have landed a future difference-maker.