When UTEP opens camp in August, all eyes will be on the quarterback room.
Second-year head coach Scotty Walden is looking to settle the position early in fall camp, he said this week in San Antonio at the annual THSCA Coaching School & Convention. The Miners went 3-9 in his first season, but four of those losses came by a combined 24 points. Walden said getting consistent quarterback play will be key if UTEP wants to take a step forward in 2025.
One of the top names in the mix is Malachi Nelson, a former five-star prospect who transferred to UTEP from Boise State in the winter. Nelson was the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2023 class and originally signed with USC out of Los Alamitos (Calif.) High School.
Nelson’s college journey hasn’t been smooth. A shoulder injury late in high school delayed his development at USC. He was passed on the depth chart and transferred to Boise State, where he finished second to Maddux Madsen in the 2024 QB battle. In 2024, he appeared in three games and completed 12 of 17 passes for 128 yards and one interception.
Now at UTEP, Nelson is competing with returners Cade McConnell and Skyler Locklear, along with redshirt freshman Shay Smith.
“People say three, but it’s dang near four,” Walden said of the QB battle. “We’ve got Cade coming off injury who started for us, Skyler and Shay who’ve been in the program, and now Malachi. It’s a real competition.”
Walden said he hopes to name a starter by the middle of fall camp, a change from last year when the quarterback decision went down to the wire.
“I probably waited too long last year,” he said. “I want to give the guy a little more time to settle in.”
Nelson’s natural talent — he has the highest recruiting pedigree of any football player in…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/former-5-star-qb-malachi-nelson-looking-for-fresh-start-at-utep-but-hell-have-to-win-the-qb-battle-first/
Author : Mike Roach
Publish date : 2025-07-26 20:46:00
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