Report: NIL Not a Factor in USC Transfer's Move to Boise State

Former top recruit Malachi Nelson lands at Boise State, but not for NIL reasons

In today's day and age of college sports, football specifically, the transfer portal is exploding with a record number of entries. The NIL landscape has a lot to do with these changes as players search for better NIL resources and more playing time. 

One big name was USC transfer quarterback Malachi Nelson, a former five-star recruit who was the heir apparent to Caleb Williams until recently. On Saturday, Nelson decided to commit to play for Boise State in a bit of a surprising move. 

As it turns out, NIL was not a factor in Nelson going to Boise State, per Jay Tust of KTVB: 

From what I’ve heard about new #BoiseState QB commit Malachi Nelson…

NIL didn’t have much of a factor in this decision, according to sources.

I would fully expect him to benefit from NIL like previous QBs - a free lease on a truck, etc. - but that wasn’t a focus for him.

— Jay Tust (@KTVBSportsGuy) January 7, 2024

Nelson likely had other offers on the table that could've landed bigger NIL deals, but the talent around the Boise State roster had a lot to do with his decision, per Pete Thamel of ESPN. 

Represented by Klutch Sports and The Network Advisory, Nelson's NIL portfolio includes partnerships with The h.wood Group, Raising Cane's and Lemon Perfect.

In high school, Nelson originally committed to Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma, before following him to USC for a season. 

Malachi Nelson committed to the Boise State coaching staff earlier today, per sources. Boise State pitched Nelson on a growth and development plan w/ 18 returning starters. Nelson’s consistent theme throughout the weekend was clear: “Let’s get to work.” https://t.co/Ma7ydhShjf

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 7, 2024

At a time when players are searching for better NIL opportunities, Nelson went from USC to Boise State in a significant NIL downgrade. But, with four years of eligibility remaining and a starting spot for a top team in the Mountain West Conference, it wasn't NIL that was the leading factor in his decision to go to the Broncos. 

Now, Boise State has Nelson at quarterback and Ashton Jeanty at running back as they try to repeat as Mountain West Conference champions.