The News
New No. 1 👀
Malachi Nelson (@Malachi) has taken over the top spot in the newest ESPN 300 class of ‘23 rankings
Check out the top 15 🏈⬇️ @CraigHaubert @TomLuginbill @DemetricDWarren
FULL Rankings: https://t.co/2vL1DV3KT0 pic.twitter.com/5Sm3grcfC3
— The Underclassman Report (@TheUCReport) July 25, 2022
2023 USC QB commit Malachi Nelson is the new No. 1 overall recruit, according to ESPN’s 2023 recruiting class ranking, replacing Texas commit Arch Manning. Since ESPN started ranking recruits in 2006 USC has had two other top overall commits. Joe McKnight in 2007 and Matt Barkley in 2009.
What It Means For USC

The Trojans have a projected superstar in their future. Nelson always liked USC but he liked new head coach Lincoln Riley’s track record with young QBs better. He was thinking of Oklahoma before Riley left and Nelson ultimately decided to follow Riley and choose USC.
Manning from the name alone has lots of pressure and expectations to perform. Not only is he the nephew and grandson of NFL royalty and two two time Super Bowl champs, but he also has a lot of talent and ability as well.
If who his relatives are are any indication, Manning should lead Texas to championship glory, or at least competing for the College Football Playoff.
If Nelson is supposed to be better than him, then he should be guaranteed to win the National Championship with USC and bring them back to a seat at the table of the “blue bloods”.
Many people consider Manning the greatest QB recruit ever, if someone better exists, it’s quite a power play to have him go to your school. This is further evidence of USC’s strong brand, no matter what the state of the program is like, they’ll always attract top tier talent.
Background
Nelson has played on varsity for three years, last season he led Los Alamitos to a 9 – 2 record. He passed for 2690 yards with 39 touchdowns and 9 interceptions and had a completion percentage of 61.8. He also rushed for 192 yards and two touchdowns, according to 247 sports.
Make sure to continue to follow the Trojans here at Gridiron Heroics. Here’s part one of an article about USC players on college football award watchlists.
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