"Refuse to be offended": $1.1M NIL-valued QB Malachi Nelson drops powerful message after transfer decision

Highly touted quarterback Malachi Nelson, valued at a staggering $1.1 million in NIL deals, has decided to part ways with the USC Trojans after just one season.

Nelson, a top player in the 2023 recruiting cycle, had initially committed to head coach Lincoln Riley during his tenure at Oklahoma. However, a series of setbacks, including shoulder surgery and a shift in coaching strategy, led to him joining USC instead.

Nelson spent his freshman season with the Trojans before deciding to enter the transfer portal. He recently shared a cryptic but powerful message about resilience in the face of criticism and adversity.

"Refuse to be offended. When people ignore or are mean or rude to you, they're revealing themselves. They are telling you what's within themselves, not what's within you. How you treat those who mistreat you reveals your emotional and spiritual maturity," Nelson wrote.

Source:Ig@malachi

His departure comes as a significant blow to USC, which had high hopes for Nelson as the successor to Caleb Williams.

Malachi Nelson's future after USC

Malachi Nelson, once hailed as the successor to Caleb Williams, now finds himself at the center of USC's unexpected quarterback shake-up.

As the season progressed, it became clear that the relationship between Nelson and coach Lincoln Riley was far from perfect. Riley chose a more accomplished quarterback from the transfer portal, leaving Nelson looking for a new home.

Despite Malachi Nelson's impressive recruiting profile, the interest from blue-blood programs has been less than expected.

Potential landing spots include Cal, Houston, Tulane, TCU, and South Carolina. The Nelson family is taking its time to assess options, with visits planned before a final decision is reached.

As Nelson exits, USC faces an uncertain future at the quarterback position. The spotlight now turns to Miller Moss, who is set to lead the Trojans in the upcoming Holiday Bowl.

With only one other scholarship quarterback, Jake Jensen, on the roster, Riley emphasized the importance of having multiple starter-level options in the quarterback room.

Riley's pursuit of Kansas State quarterback Will Howard in the transfer portal may have inadvertently accelerated Malachi Nelson's departure.

Meanwhile, USC's plans for quarterback remain uncertain, with no committed prospects in the 2024 or 2025 classes.

The transfer of another top-five quarterback prospect from the 2023 class, Dante Moore, further adds to the challenges USC faces in securing a long-term solution.