In a recruiting bombshell that’s sending shockwaves throughout the college football world, 5-star quarterback phenom Malachi Nelson Jr. has decommitted from West Virginia University and announced his stunning flip to Arizona State, choosing the Sun Devils over heavyweights Alabama, Penn State, LSU, and Miami. This move has already been called the most surprising recruiting flip of the 2025 cycle.
The decision, made public via a nationally televised segment and a dramatic social media post captioned simply “New Sun Rising #ForksUp,” instantly vaulted Arizona State’s recruiting class into the top 15 nationally—an almost unthinkable feat for a program that’s struggled for consistency since the early 2000s.
But this isn’t just about rankings or hashtags. Nelson Jr., a rocket-armed, elusive quarterback with an NFL-ready frame and elite pedigree, has the potential to be the most important commit in Arizona State football history.
The Profile: Who is Malachi Nelson Jr.?
Hailing from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in California—a historic pipeline for elite athletes—Malachi Nelson Jr. has been compared to a young Patrick Mahomes for his off-platform throws, freakish improvisational skills, and icy composure in clutch moments. Listed at 6’3”, 205 pounds, with a 4.6-second 40-yard dash and a 3.8 GPA, Nelson Jr. isn’t just a football prodigy—he’s a brand in the making.
He finished his junior year with jaw-dropping numbers:
- 3,921 passing yards
- 45 touchdowns
- Only 4 interceptions
- 609 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns
Scouts have raved about his deep ball accuracy, pocket awareness, and the fact that he’s never looked overwhelmed—even when playing against national powerhouse programs like Mater Dei and St. John Bosco. Rivals and 247Sports both rank him as the No. 1 dual-threat QB and a consensus top-five overall prospect in the 2025 class.
The Flip Heard Around the Nation
Initially committed to West Virginia back in January, Nelson Jr.’s pledge shocked many then, too. He cited his admiration for Mountaineers’ offensive coordinator Tee Martin, the family environment, and the opportunity to forge his own legacy. But the ground began to shift after Martin accepted a position with the Seattle Seahawks in late March. Though West Virginia scrambled to promote from within and reassure Nelson Jr. and his camp, the writing was on the wall.
Behind the scenes, Arizona State had quietly re-entered the mix. First-year head coach Kenny Dillingham, a Phoenix native and one of the most dynamic young minds in college football, had never stopped recruiting Nelson Jr., even after his initial commitment elsewhere. Dillingham’s reputation as a quarterback developer (having worked with Bo Nix at Oregon and Jayden Daniels at Arizona State before his transfer to LSU) played a pivotal role in swaying Nelson Jr. and his inner circle.
Why Arizona State?
In an era dominated by NIL deals, playoff hopes, and powerhouse prestige, a commitment to Arizona State—a program with no recent CFP contention and a .500 record last season—seems counterintuitive. But a deeper look reveals a strategic and savvy decision by Nelson Jr.
1. Quarterback Whisperer in Kenny Dillingham
The 34-year-old Dillingham has built his reputation on tailoring offensive schemes around the unique talents of his quarterbacks. The idea of running a wide-open, RPO-heavy, vertical attack in the desert with Nelson Jr. at the helm was too enticing to pass up.
2. Immediate Playing Time
At Arizona State, Nelson Jr. will walk into a quarterback room that has promise but lacks a true franchise leader. He’ll be the Day 1 starter barring injury—something Alabama, Penn State, and LSU could not guarantee.
3. Building a Brand in the West
The Southern California native will remain close to home, with media exposure in a growing Phoenix market. With NIL collectives at Arizona State gaining momentum and partnerships with influencers in the area, Nelson Jr. could become the face of ASU football—and a commercial darling—in a way that might have been diluted in more crowded programs.
4. “Lead, Not Follow” Mentality
In his announcement, Nelson Jr. said, “I don’t want to be the next quarterback at a blue-blood program. I want to be the first to lead Arizona State into something historic. Forks up.”
Ripple Effects Across the Country
This flip will have massive ripple effects across multiple college football landscapes:
West Virginia: The Mountaineers just lost their cornerstone prospect. After banking on Nelson Jr. as the future, this decommitment leaves a void that will be tough to fill late in the cycle. Expect them to go hard after 4-star dual-threat Jaiden Hunt out of Texas.
Alabama & Penn State: Both programs were quietly optimistic in recent weeks. Alabama, in particular, had hosted Nelson Jr. twice for unofficial visits. This is a rare instance where the Crimson Tide were outmaneuvered on the trail.
Pac-12 Implications: Arizona State’s rise with Nelson Jr. on board changes the calculus. With USC and UCLA now in the Big Ten, the door is wide open for a new Pac-12 contender to emerge. Oregon and Washington are still strong, but if Nelson Jr. delivers on his promise, the Sun Devils could become the league’s must-watch team.
Recruiting Boost Incoming
Nelson Jr.’s commitment is expected to act as a magnet for other elite recruits.
Already, 4-star wideout Jalen Whitaker from Nevada has reposted Nelson Jr.’s announcement with the eyes emoji , and 5-star offensive tackle Isaiah Freeman, previously leaning toward Penn State, is rumored to be scheduling an official visit to Tempe.
The Sun Devils’ 2025 recruiting class now ranks No. 13 nationally and No. 2 in the Pac-12, trailing only Oregon.
If Arizona State can close on two more top-100 prospects, they could realistically enter Signing Day with a top-10 class—their best since the internet recruiting era began.
Coaching Staff Reaction
Head coach Kenny Dillingham, known for his energetic and emotional sideline demeanor, was reportedly “shocked and euphoric” when he got the confirmation call. On X (formerly Twitter), he posted a cryptic “Let’s GO!!!! #NextUp” shortly after the announcement.
Quarterbacks coach A.J. Millwee posted a single fork emoji, while ASU’s social media team rolled out a cinematic commitment graphic within minutes.
In a brief press conference, Dillingham said, “This is more than a commitment—it’s a declaration. A 5-star like Malachi doesn’t just pick you. He believes in you. And we believe in him.”
What’s Next for Malachi Nelson Jr.?
Nelson Jr. is expected to graduate early and enroll at Arizona State in January. He’ll join the program for spring ball and is expected to immediately compete for the starting quarterback position. Dillingham has said they won’t hand anything to anyone, but behind closed doors, the plan is clear: Nelson Jr. is QB1.
He’ll also be featured in an upcoming docuseries produced by Amazon’s “QB1” spinoff franchise, which has followed him throughout his senior year and will now capture his transition to Tempe.
A major NIL announcement is rumored for next week involving a local car dealership, a regional tech company, and a national fast food chain. Expect Nelson Jr.’s stardom to skyrocket before he even takes his first college snap.
Final Thoughts
In an era where most recruiting headlines feel scripted and formulaic, Malachi Nelson Jr.’s flip to Arizona State is a jolt of excitement and unpredictability. It proves that branding, opportunity, and vision can outweigh tradition and hardware in a player’s decision-making process.
For Arizona State, it’s more than just landing a 5-star. It’s proof that they’re ready to compete—not just on the field, but in the ever-evolving arena of recruiting, branding, and player development.
