Interview: 5-Offer 2023 QB Malachi Nelson Updates Season and LSU Visit

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

If anyone was wondering who the next California high school freshman to break out of the pack and become a four-star gridiron talent, if not higher, will be, well that cat this year is Malachi Nelson. Nelson has been riffling passes all season for Los Alamitos High School (4-5) working the Air Raid offense against Division III defenses. The 6-3, 175-pound, rifleman has a gun for an arm, can throw on the line and with touch, and is beyond his years in understanding offensive schemes going against various coverages. All adds up to an unknown recruit at the start of the season to a player college coaches are loving with offers extended from Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, and Oregon.

In an RNG exclusive interview, I picked up with Nelson in the middle of his visit to LSU covering his season to date and his exciting recruiting prospects.

Interview

Malachi, over the summer and/or going into fall camp with the Griffins, when did you know you were going to be contributing to the level that you are and/or the starting varsity quarterback?

“At Los Alamitos, it is different for us each week. We come in on Monday and we go for it to see who will start. Whoever is having the best week gets the nod on Friday. We have both played each week, that is cool. We have a great relationship; there is nothing weird between us. Our coach does not tell us who the starter is until the end of the week.”

How many games have you started this season?

“I have started two games.”

How did you mentally prepare for the 2019 season over the summer months?

“By watching a lot of film. A lot of work has gone into this season before it began. I was working all offseason to prepare. You have to understand what is coming on Friday night. I was preparing my mind and body for this opportunity all offseason.”

Regardless of your grade classification, you have one heck of an arm slinging it downfield with ease. What are some of the routes you are throwing to in the Spread set?

“Coach will give us an idea of the routes we will run before the game and in-game. We run fades and posts, which are my favorites, but the short routes win games. You have to move the ball and get completions to win games.”

Very wise. Wiser than many college quarterbacks.

“Thank you.”

For any given game, how are you preparing for opposing defenses?

“On Sunday after a game, our coaches send out a scouting report with all information on there. We know what they like to do and have an idea on how they will play us. We study that, write it out, and study film understanding each play knowing what they will do in different sets against us.”

As the season has gone on, what adjustments have you had to make to compete at such a high level?

“The biggest thing for me, because I don’t feel that much of a difference, is the pocket closing. It closes way faster at this level. If you have not gotten rid of the ball after one, two, then three seconds, you have to go. After the first couple of games, it clicked for me; if nothing is open you have to go. You cannot dance around back there.”

Where are you seeing the improvements in your skills?

“One of the improvements is making on the fly adjustments helping my team win. As soon as the game starts, you have to make adjustments. You have to adjust to taking what the defense gives you. If they give you short, you have to take it.”

Which game this season has been your best so far?

“The (Long Beach) Poly game has been my best. We lost (20-14), but I went in for one drive in the first half and then played in the second half. We were down two touchdowns at halftime. We came back and made it a game. The offense kicked it up in the second half which helped us out a lot. We figured it out in the second half. That was my personal best.”

Because of your skills, you have been blowing up on the recruiting trail. How many offers do you have already?

“I have five offers.”

Which school was first to offer and what was it like having that dream come true?

“It was Auburn. The biggest thing for me was knowing that my parents do not have to pay for my college. At that point, we were good. It was a blessing getting that offer from Auburn. It was crazy.”

As an underclassman, you may not know the full list of schools showing interest, but are there any that are?

“Ohio State and Washington, I know those two are showing interest, and USC and UCLA.”

Have you visited any programs yet?

“Yes. I am visiting LSU now (Auburn game). I went to USC and UCLA over the summer.”

Tell me about LSU trip so far.

“We got here Saturday night. It took 23 hours to get here. We had to drive seven hours from Georgia to New Orleans and then to Baton Rouge. Then we went back to New Orleans to go to the Saints game. We are meeting with the coaches on Monday doing an all-day tour. I will see the school and football facilities then.”

*Update: Nelson shared on Monday, “This has been an amazing trip.”

How did the USC trip go?

“It was good. I went to a camp and then I came back for a visit. The USC campus is beautiful. I like it. Their facilities are nice and the coaches are cool.”

And UCLA, now did that visit go?

“That cool too. Same thing as USC. The campus is crazy and insane. What they do with their athletic department it is crazy.”

Looking ahead, do you have any more planned visits?

“After the football season ends, I will start taking more. But I have none set right now.”

Last few questions, but back to football. The Griffins have won three in a row, what has worked during the winning streak helping lead the team towards the playoffs?

“Our new offense is the same Air Raid offense they use at Washington State. Our coach learned from Mike Leach (head coach). We even use the same terminology. Our offense was not clicking at first but the defense was clicking. Now the offense is starting to get it together. We now have both sides clicking together. We are figuring it out as a team. We are getting it going.”

What is at stake for the team come Friday in the Corona del Mar (9-0) game?

“Friday is the (Sunset) league championship. This is for first place in the league. We lost to Edison, but if we beat CDM, we take league. The top three teams in our league get into the playoffs. We are in, but we want to win league.”

They have a tough team, what are you expecting from the Sea Kings’ defense?

“They will be physical. They are big, strong, and fast. We have to hit them back. If we all come out to play, it will be a good game for us. We have a solid team, and we are figuring it out.”

Malachi, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your visit at LSU.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Nelson family; Malachi Nelson at LSU