BREAKING: Five-Star Quarterback Malachi Nelson Shocks Nation, Flips Commitment from USC to Oklahoma Sooners
In a stunning reversal that has sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting world, Malachi Nelson, the nation’s consensus No. 1 quarterback and a top-three overall prospect in the 2023 class, has announced he is de-committing from the University of Southern California and will instead sign with the University of Oklahoma. The decision, first reported by 247Sports, marks a historic recruiting coup for first-year Sooners head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby.
Nelson, a 6-foot-3, 185-pound prodigy from Los Alamitos High School in California, had been the centerpiece of Lincoln Riley’s inaugural recruiting class at USC. His commitment in November 2021 was seen as a symbolic moment, signaling that Riley could bring his quarterback magic west. However, the hiring of offensive mastermind Jeff Lebby at Oklahoma and the allure of leading a storied program through its transition to the SEC ultimately changed the trajectory of his recruitment.
“USC and Coach Riley have been nothing but first-class, and this decision was not made lightly,” Nelson said in a released statement. “After deep reflection and building a strong relationship with Coach Venables and Coach Lebby, I believe in the vision they have for Oklahoma football. The opportunity to be part of building something special, to compete in the SEC, and to run an offense that perfectly fits my skillset was something I couldn’t turn away from.”
The flip is a narrative-altering moment for both programs. For Oklahoma, it is a program-defining victory for Venables. In a single move, he has not only secured a franchise quarterback for the SEC era but has also proven he can win the nation’s most high-profile recruiting battles against his celebrated predecessor. Nelson’s cannon arm, elite accuracy, and mobility are considered a perfect match for Lebby’s uptempo, spread system, which produced record-breaking numbers at Ole Miss.
For USC and Lincoln Riley, the loss is monumental. Losing the crown jewel of the recruiting class, and a southern California native, back to his former school is a significant setback in perception and on-field planning. It immediately elevates the pressure to secure another elite quarterback from the transfer portal and raises questions about Riley’s recruiting momentum.
The national implications are vast. Nelson’s move significantly boosts Oklahoma’s 2023 class into the top five nationally and re-establishes the Sooners as a premier destination for quarterback talent. It also fiercely reignites the burgeoning rivalry between Riley’s USC and Venables’ Oklahoma, adding a deeply personal layer to any future intersection.
This seismic shift is more than just a player changing his mind; it is a statement of intent from Brent Venables and the new regime in Norman. In the high-stakes game of modern college football, where quarterback acquisition is paramount, Oklahoma has just landed the most valuable piece on the board. By flipping the nation’s top player from the coach who once defined their offense, the Sooners have announced they are not just preparing for the future—they are aggressively chasing it.
