Former five-star prospect Malachi Nelson will open the season as the starting quarterback at UTEP, Miners coach Scotty Walden announced Thursday.

UTEP will open its slate at Utah State on Aug. 30.

“It means everything,” Nelson said after the announcement. “I’m super excited for the opportunity. This is a huge blessing to take over the reins here.

“I look forward to winning some games and to continue to grow.”

Nelson was the 2022 California Gatorade Player of the Year and has long been a ballyhooed prospect. He was rated the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2023, and among the top quarterbacks he was ranked above was Arch Manning of Texas.

Nelson initially committed to Oklahoma before reneging and following exiting Sooners coach Lincoln Riley to Southern California. But he lasted just one season (2023) behind Caleb Williams and Miller Moss and threw three passes for the Trojans before transferring to Boise State.

Nelson had a great view of Ashton Jeanty’s long runs last season — from the bench. He was the backup to Maddux Madsen and threw just 17 passes before exiting the program and eventually choosing UTEP.

Nelson beat out Skyler Locklear (10 TD passes last season) and Cade McConnell (four) for the UTEP starting job.

“Very excited for Malachi but I want to make a big emphasis it was a very tight race,” Walden said. “… I truly believe we have more than one guy in the room that we can win games with.”

UTEP hasn’t won a bowl game since 1967, when it won the hometown Sun Bowl. The Miners have lost their last seven bowl appearances.

An interesting matchup looms in Week 3. Nelson and the Miners visit Manning and the Longhorns in Austin.

–Field Level Media