The UTEP Miners will receive 5-star services from the quarterback position in 2025.
Second-year head coach Scotty Walden named former 5-star recruit Malachi Nelson the Week 1 starter nine days before the Miners kick off their 2025 season.
Nelson, who arrived as a transfer in early January, won a fall camp competition over incumbent quarterbacks Skyler Locklear and Cade McConnell. Locklear started nine games for the Miners in 2024, manufacturing 1,583 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions
on a 63.5 completion percentage. McConnell started eight games over the past two years (six in 2023, two in 2024), totaling 1,977 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, connecting at a 54.3 completion rate.
UTEP will serve as the third collegiate home for the former 5-star, who was ranked the No. 5 quarterback in the 2023 recruiting class by 247Sports and the No. 1 pocket passer by ESPN. Nelson originally committed to USC but only appeared in one contest as a Trojan, throwing three passes vs. San Jose State as a backup to Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. He transferred to Boise State prior to the 2024 season and competed with Maddux Madsen throughout fall camp for the starting job. Madsen prevailed and never relinquished the role during the Broncos’ push to the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. Nelson logged action in three 30+ point victories as Boise State’s backup, completing 12-of-17 passes for 128 yards and one interception.
Nelson receives his first crack at a starting gig in El Paso, hoping to live up to the hype he received as a heralded high school recruit. UTEP kicks off its season on Saturday, Aug. 30 in a road non-conference matchup at Utah State — one of three FBS schools Nelson has previously thrown a pass against.
