Ex-USC QB Malachi Nelson, the No. 1 recruit in 2023, selects Boise St. Louis.

Quarterback Malachi NelsonThe No. 1 candidate in the Class of 2023 announced Saturday that he will transfer to Boise State.

Nelson entered the transfer portal on December 18, leaving USC after just one season. He sat behind the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams And Miller Moss This season he has thrown only three passes.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Nelson, originally from Los Alamitos, Calif., committed to Oklahoma when Lincoln Riley was the coach. Nelson flipped to USC when Riley took the head coaching job there.

Nelson threw for 2,898 yards, 35 touchdowns and four interceptions in his final season of high school and was the California Gatorade Player of the Year.

Boise State lost a quarterback Taylin Green To transfer to Arkansas this season. He threw for 1,752 yards, 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 11 games this season. Coach Spencer Danielson returns Maddox MadsenWho threw for 1,191 yards, 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, but suffered an injury that allowed him to play in nine games.

Nelson recently visited Boise State and announced his decision on Social media on Saturday night.

Nelson gives the Broncos a high-profile quarterback the staff didn't have. With four years remaining on his eligibility, he could be a long-term solution for coaches.