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USC quarterback Malachi Nelson is expected to enter the NCAA transfer portal. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
When he signed with USC last December out of Los Alamitos, Malachi Nelson was viewed as the natural heir apparent to Caleb Williams, a five-star quarterback that oozed upside, who seemed, at first, like the perfect fit for Lincoln Riley’s succession plans at the position.
But less than a year later, Nelson is already planning his exit from USC. The freshman quarterback intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to a person with knowledge of the decision unauthorized to speak publicly, leaving USC’s future at the position glaringly uncertain.
For now, it will be Miller Moss who quarterbacks USC in the Holiday Bowl later this month. The Trojans have just one other scholarship quarterback on the roster in Jake Jensen, a redshirt sophomore who has never taken a snap.
Read more: What’s next for Caleb Williams? QB reflects on lessons from challenging season at USC
Riley made clear earlier this month that he intended to look around for quarterbacks in the transfer portal.
“My goal right now,” he said, “is to always have multiple guys in the room that you feel like are starter-level guys that you feel like can really compete.”
This weekend, USC zeroed in on one transfer passer in particular, hosting coveted Kansas State quarterback Will Howard on a visit to campus.
But that pursuit might have had unintended consequences. By weekend’s end, the quarterback Riley once expected to take the reins was on his way out.
Read more: USC players excited Miller Moss will finally get a start at QB: ‘Miller’s a baller’
It hadn’t exactly been an easy adjustment at USC for Nelson, who arrived on campus shortly after undergoing shoulder surgery. The injury slowed his early progress, opening the door for Moss to seize…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/usc-quarterback-malachi-nelson-intends-040004628.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2023-12-18 04:00:04
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