Report: USC's Nelson, former No. 1 prospect, to enter transfer portal

USC freshman quarterback Malachi Nelson is expected to enter the transfer portal, sources told Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports.

Nelson was the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class by ESPN. The California native was a highly sought-after recruit, receiving offers from the likes of Alabama, Texas, Oregon, and Georgia, among others, before selecting the Trojans.

USC's quarterback room is expected to look a lot different in 2024. In addition to Nelson's expected transfer, former Heisman winner Caleb Williams is likely to declare for the 2024 NFL Draft, though he hasn't made that official yet.

Head coach Lincoln Riley didn't rule out looking in the transfer portal for another quarterback earlier this week.

"I like the guys we have in the room, but you also have a responsibility to the team to continue to look at potential people who can come in, make our room better and make our team better, so not ready to say we’d for sure do anything," Riley said, per The Athletic's Antonio Morales.

Nelson completed one of his three pass attempts in 2023.