Interview: 5-Star 2023 QB Malachi Nelson Nearing July Verbal Commitment Date
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Come July 18, some fortunate football program will have a five-star quarterback attached to their 2023 recruiting class. The excitement and buzz are already building for Malachi Nelson’s announcement that will be carried live on CBS. The 6-3, 185-pound, field general for Los Alamitos High School has 26 offers in-hand with visits previously taken to LSU, Alabama, and Clemson with one this weekend to Oklahoma. The fervor among the various fanbases is building after Nelson took home the Elite 11’s Golden Gunner award and earned Rivals’ 5-Star Challenge invite at camps this offseason.
Interview
Malachi, after leading the Griffins to a 6-0 season averaging 252 passing yards per game, when you finished the 2020 season this spring what did you feel were the top aspects to your talents as a quarterback?
The biggest thing for me this season was getting close to a full season. During my freshman year I did not play as much and my sophomore season was shortened. This season, the focus was getting better. This was my first full season getting to play and to put up big numbers. I am ready for this next season.
Which areas of your game have you focused on this spring and summer?
The little things are big for me. All quarterbacks can throw the ball, I focus on the things that will keep you around longer like watching film and learning defenses. The small things make a difference. Those are the things that will set you apart from other guys.
On Sunday I got to see you sling it in-person at Sofi Stadium during a 7v7 tournament; which 7v7 team do you play for?
Ground Zero.
Which national tournaments have you competed in so far?
We haven’t done a lot. We won Passing Downs here and competed at two Pylon tournaments.
Getting to sling the ball against other top players in 7v7 tournaments, how are you seeing your abilities as a passer improve even more?
I feel like the biggest thing for me right now is slowing the game down. I got a lot of great training over the offseason with NFL guys and going against NFL players. That really helped me out.
Which NFL guys have you been training with and competing against?
I train at Stars. There are a bunch of NFL guys there; we train together. Adoree’ Jackson (Giants), Desmond King (Texans), JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers), and Mike Davis from the Chargers are helping me get better. It helps going from NFL to high school guys.
No doubt. Which national camps have you competed at so far this offseason?
I went to Under Armour, Rivals, and to the Elite 11.
Taking on your peers at the different camps, how did it go?
At Rivals I got the 5-Star Invite and at the Elite 11 I received The Golden Gunner award for the highest score during the pro day competition.
Very cool. Congratulations.
Thank you.
Going into recruiting. How many offers are down?
I have 26 offers.
Nelson’s Offer Sheet: Alabama, Arizona, Arizona State, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Miami, Michigan, NC State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oregon State, Penn State, Purdue, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, UNLV, USC, and Utah
Have you taken any visits yet or do you have any coming up?
None yet, but I will be visiting Oklahoma. I am heading there this weekend. I have visited LSU, Alabama, and Clemson already. Oklahoma is the last school that is recruiting me hard that I want to get a feel for.
When did you visit LSU?
That was the summer after my freshman year. It was a good visit. During the visit I met a lot of cool people. I have a good relationship with Coach O (Ed Orgeron – head coach), Coach (Jake) Peetz (OC), and Coach (Collin) D’Angelo (analyst).
And the Alabama visit, when did you take that one?
That Bama trip was a couple months back. That was a double thing, I went there and to Clemson. It was during COVID, it was not an all-inclusive visit with the football. I sat on a Zoom with Coach (Nick) Saban (head coach) and we talked.
What are you looking for in that next level fit?
The biggest thing for me is going somewhere I am wanted, feel comfortable on campus, and have no problems with the people. I want to walk around and feel comfortable in the city and the town. The biggest thing is feeling comfortable and feeling that I am at the right place.
When is your commitment date?
July 18.
How are you going to announce your commitment?
Live on CBS.
That’s big-time. We will all be watching. Congratulations on all the success at the camps this spring and summer. Wishing you a successful visit in Norman.
Thank you, Ryan.
Nelson’s 2020 Stat Line:
Los Alamitos Griffins’ 2020 Record: 6-0
85 of 115 for 1,513 yards, 74 percent completion rate with 23 touchdowns against 4 interceptions
17 carries for 49 yards with one touchdown
2020 Honors: California Gatorade Player of the Year, MaxPreps first team All-State, Cal Hi first team All-State, and Sunset League MVP
Photo credit: RNG; Malachi Nelson