Top 2023 QB recruit set to make first career start

UTEP sophomore quarterback Malachi Nelson. Gaby Velasquez/ El Paso Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Top 2023 quarterback recruit set to make first career start

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Aug 21, 2025 1:43 PM ET

Malachi Nelson was once considered an elite quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class. However, unlike fellow recruits like Arch Manning, Nico Iamaleava, Caleb Downs and Kadyn Proctor, he's yet to make a significant impact at the collegiate level.

ESPN ranked the former 5-star quarterback from Los Alamitos, Calif., higher than all the aforementioned players at the time. While Nelson hasn't met expectations, he is getting a chance to prove himself in 2025.

Now at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), it was announced on Thursday that Nelson would be the Miners' starting QB this season. He beat out Austin Peay transfer quarterback Skyler Locklear for the job.

Source: The UTEP staff has informed redshirt sophomore quarterback Malachi Nelson that he won the starting job for the Miners. The former No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2023 will make his first career college start at Utah State on Aug. 30. pic.twitter.com/oeHl2s88TB
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 21, 2025

Nelson was initially committed to Oklahoma, but he followed former Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley to USC and had a redshirt season in 2023. He transferred to Boise State for the 2024 season, but lost the quarterback gig to Maddux Madsen.

The 21-year-old will now get his chance to be "the guy," but he has limited experience to fall back on, seeing action in just three games. At Boise State, Nelson completed 12 of just 17 passes for 128 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

Nelson has the talent to be successful, earning the Gatorade California Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022.

UTEP's game against Utah State on Aug. 30 will be his first career start.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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