@MalachiNelson9 Is The Best CA Prospect In The Class of 2023
After accounting for over 1,000 yards of offense as a freshman for the Los Alamitos HS varsity football program, quarterback Malachi Nelson took a huge step forward in a COVID-shortened sophomore campaign.
As a result, Nelson is the No. 1 prospect in California in the class of 2023.
Nelson finished the six-game season completing 73 percent of his passes for 1,513 yards and 24 touchdowns. He led Los Alamitos to an unbeaten 6-0 campaign and the Sunset League championship. He and his teammate WR/DB Makai Lemon shared league MVP honors.
In addition, Nelson was named 1st All-State and the 2020-21 California state Quarterback of the Year.
Offers Roll In
Standing 6-foot-3-inches and weighing in now around 190 pounds, Nelson has garnered the attention of nearly every major FBS program in the country. He holds over two dozen offers from Power 5 schools.
The list includes the likes of perennial powers like Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Oklahoma, USC, and plenty more. Eight SEC teams have offered as well as six members of the Pac-12.
Schools looking to get a shot at Nelson might want to get in quickly. The class of 2023’s top recruit is looking to make a verbal commitment in July.
Scouting Report
What’s not to like about Nelson? He stands 6-3 with a frame that will allow him to add extra weight as he matures. Blessed with a live arm, the ball comes out of his hand with a lot of velocity. Nelson can make all the throws into all three levels of the field – quick game, intermediate, and downfield.
He is extremely accurate as evidenced by his 73 percent completion percentage in the 2020-21 season. What really separates Nelson from other prospects in his class is his athletic ability. He is a fluid athlete that can run the ball when needed as well as extend plays with his feet.
You can see how talented Nelson is in his sophomore season highlights.
The Offseason
Most recently, Nelson took an unofficial visit to Oklahoma, one of the nation’s top programs. The Sooners have won the last six straight Big 12 titles and head coach Lincoln Riley has coaches two Heisman Trophy winners – Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray.
Nelson visited over the weekend of June 19-20.
Nelson also competed at a recent Pylon 7-on-7 event at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. You can see the accuracy that Nelson possesses on two different throws in the videos below. The first is a downfield throw that hits the receiver in stride and the second is a beautifully placed red-zone fade to his high school teammate and four-star WR Makai Lemon.
Nelson was also the Golden Gun Accuracy Challenge winner at the 2021 Elite 11 Los Angeles regional competition. Nelson had the top score among underclassmen as well as the top score overall.
Nelson will give a verbal commitment in July. Whatever school he chooses will be getting not only a quality quarterback. They will be getting a quality young man as well.
