Malachi Nelson, USC Trojans quarterback pledge, named nation's No. 1 prospect by ESPN

For months, Isidore Newman School (Louisiana) quarterback Arch Manning has been the No. 1 player in the country.

Not according to just one recruiting service, but all four of the major recruiting evaluators- 247Sports, On3, Rivals and ESPN.

However, that changed Monday when ESPN updated its recruiting rankings, dropping the Texas pledge down to No. 2 - something multiple sites have discussed openly in recent weeks. 

Who took his spot?

According to ESPN, the new No. 1 recruit in America is Los Alamitos High School (California) signal-caller Malachi Nelson.

He is the third No. 1 overall recruit to commit to USC, joining running back Joe McKnight (2007) and quarterback Matt Barkley (2009). 

The 6-foot-4, 185-pound USC commit is a consensus five-star prospect, but his ranking fluctuates fairly significantly - anywhere from No. 1 to No. 14 nationally (On3) depending on the service.

Still, paired with Lincoln Riley the entire recruiting community seems to agree he has a bright college football future - a future that should take him to the NFL, according to 247Sports.

"Tall, lean, and long-armed with slender natural build but frame to add some mass. Fluid mover in general, including arm motion and lower-body mechanics. Range of motion in movement patterns fosters excellent off-platform passing ability and general playmaking acumen. Alters arm angles and delivers with accuracy. Vertical arm strength, intermediate velocity, and touch to all fields speak to elite arm talent. Perhaps the most natural thrower in an excellent 2023 QB group. Flashes the functional athleticism to extend plays outside the pocket, where finding a receiver is almost always the priority over tucking and running. Still, athletic enough to hurt defenses with legs on occasion. Sees the field well and processes naturally. Production has risen each of first three years in high school. INT rate is on the higher end of the spectrum for Top247 quarterbacks -- one every 30.6 throws as a junior, one every 29.9 in freshman through junior seasons. Adding mass and strength will help withstand physical demands of high-major ball. Very likely one of the nation's top quarterbacks -- and overall prospects regardless of position -- in the 2023 class. Projects as an impact starter at the high-major level with long-term early-round NFL Draft potential." 

Last season, Nelson threw for 2,690 yards and 39 touchdowns with eight interceptions, earning 2021 Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team Player of the Year in the process. 

Junior season highlights