The Syracuse Orange are expected to start a third new quarterback this season on Saturday night at Virginia. Former No. 1 overall high school recruit Malachi Nelson is expected to be Syracuse’s starting quarterback this weekend. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the news.
The updated ACC injury report on Friday night showed that starting quarterback Amari Odom was listed as “Doubtful.”
He had been listed as “Questionable” on Thursday’s injury report. Syracuse’s original starting quarterback, Steve Angeli, was also listed as “Out” on Friday’s injury report. Angeli did not have an injury designation on Thursday night.
Nelson is set to make the seventh start of his collegiate career. He started six games for UTEP last season. Nelson threw for 1,163 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions in those games. He also played in three games for Boise State and one game for USC. Nelson did play in Syracuse’s season opener against New Hampshire, but he did not record any offensive numbers.
Nelson was a premier recruit for the high school class of 2023. He was the No. 1 overall recruit by ESPN and a consensus five-star recruit. Nelson was higher rated than quarterbacks Dante Moore, Arch Manning and Nico Iamaleava according to ESPN’s rankings coming out of high school. He was a two-time winner of California’s Gatorade Player of the Year.
Syracuse fans were most likely looking forward to seeing Odom start a game against ACC competition. In his first game as a starter for Syracuse, Odom threw for 335 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions against UConn. He also rushed for a touchdown and the game winning two-point conversion at UConn.
If Odom was at all injured, Orange fans probably also expected Angeli to take snaps before Nelson. Angeli’s return to football this season has not gone well. He threw five interceptions in Syracuse’s two losses this season. Angeli did lead the nation in passing yards last season before his achilles injury ended his 2025 campaign early.
Syracuse still has options, if needed, behind Nelson at quarterback. Georgetown transfer Danny Lauter will be the presumed backup to Nelson on Saturday. Behind them, Syracuse also has sophomores Joseph Filardi and Rich Belin, along with true freshman Zaid Lott.
The Orange are still looking for their first ACC win of the 2026 season. Kickoff at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville against Virginia is set for 7:30 pm ET. The game will be aired on ACC Network.
