Malachi Nelson, nation's No. 1 overall prospect and USC Trojans pledge, visiting Texas A&M Aggies: Report

Los Alamitos High School (California) quarterback Malachi Nelson, ESPN's No. 1 overall prospect, may not be 100 percent set on his commitment to the USC Trojans.

First reported by On3's Tim Verghese, Nelson scheduled an unofficial visit to Texas A&M this weekend and arrived in College Station on Thursday. 

Shortly thereafter, the news was confirmed by The Athletic's USC beat writer Antonio Morales, who added that Nelson had informed Riley of his plans to visit before the trip. 

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound signal-caller is a consensus five-star recruit who is firmly in the discuss as the nation's top prospect by most recruiting services.

He originally committed to Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma in July 2021, but followed his head coach to USC in November of that year. 

Texas A&M has not been shy about its pursuit of an elite quarterback in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

The Aggies pursued Oregon-bound five-star quarterback Dante Moore and are scheduled to host Baylor commit Austin Novosad, the nation's No. 8 signal-caller, Friday. 

Whether Nelson's visit is a flier for the program or a legitimate push at flipping the nation's top prospect remains to be seen. 

But Nelson's interest in Texas A&M has suddenly become one of the most fascinating recruiting storylines in the country. 

According to 247Sports, Nelson projects as a future first-round NFL draft pick:

"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."