​It’s time to start preparing for the 2026 Syracuse Orange football season. We’re going through the roster to take a look at each Syracuse player as we get to know a lot of new faces for Year 3 of the Fran Brown Era.Up next is…AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementName: Malachi NelsonPosition: QuarterbackYear: Redshirt JuniorHeight: 6’3”Weight: 193 lbsHometown: Los Alamitos, CAHigh School/Previous College: Los Aloamitos/USC/Boise State/UTEP2025 stats: Nelson started the first six games of the season for UTEP. He passed for 1,163 yards, eight touchdowns and nine interceptions last season.2026 projections: Nelson has a long road ahead of him. Steve Angeli is most likely going to be the starting quarterback when the season starts. Nelson is most likely battling Amari Odom for the primary backup spot. However, the talent that made Nelson a highly touted high school prospect can’t have just completely disappeared. There’s a good bet that Syracuse and Nelson believe they can, together, rediscover that talent. If he does, look out.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHow’d he get here?: Nelson committed to Syracuse from UTEP  on January 16 of this year.What’d recruiting sites say?: Nelson was rated a three-star transfer portal player. Out of high school, he was a consensus five-star recruit. ESPN ranked Nelson the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2023.Social Media: @malachiInteresting nugget o’interest: Listing all of Nelson’s impressive accolades from high school would take some time. But not many people get named their state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, let alone twice, which is what Nelson achieved.Let’s get a look at ya: Back when Nelson was very hyped in high school.