Syracuse football is likely to have a new starting quarterback on Saturday night at Virginia, senior Malachi Nelson, according to multiple reports, including one from On3 college football insider Pete Nakos.
On Friday night, the Orange submitted its latest availability report to the Atlantic Coast Conference for its league clash with the Cavaliers in Charlottesville, Va. Fifth-year player Steve Angeli is listed as out. Senior Amari Odom, who started at quarterback and helped lead SU to a one-point overtime win at UConn last Saturday, is listed as doubtful.
QB Steve Angeli is out and Amari Odom is doubtful. https://t.co/PozOsNrzVY
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) October 10, 2026
That brings us to the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Nelson, who hails from Los Alamitos, Calif. Nelson transferred to Syracuse football from UTEP. Previously, the former consensus five-star prep recruit also played for Southern California and Boise State.
The 'Cuse (2-2 overall, 0-2 in ACC) will play at UVA (3-2 overall, 1-1 in ACC) on Saturday at 7:30 pm EST at Scott Stadium. Here's more information on how to watch.
Syracuse football is expected to have its third starting quarterback so far in the 2026 season.
Head coach Fran Brown has praised Nelson, and spoken to the importance of his quarterback room in this campaign possessing both depth and talent. A year ago, Angeli suffered a season-ending injury in the Orange's triumph at Clemson, which pushed Syracuse's record to 3-1. The 'Cuse would then drop eight straight to finish the 2025 campaign at 3-9.
Seems likely that senior QB Malachi Nelson, a transfer from UTEP, will play when Syracuse football travels to Virginia on Saturday night, with Amari Odom doubtful and Steve Angeli out. Thread 1/2: 🔽
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) October 10, 2026
In the 2023 recruiting class, Nelson was a standout at Los Alamitos High School near Los Angeles. ESPN ranked him as the No. 1 national prospect in this cycle. This offseason, recruiting services rated Nelson as a three-star transfer.
Full injury report for Syracuse at Virginia on Saturday: OUT - WR Darien Williams, QB Steve Angeli, RB Shavane Anderson Jr., K Tripp Woody, OL Jackson Iak, OL D'Joni Scatliffe & WR Terrell Wilfong; DOUBTFUL - QB Amari Odom; QUESTIONABLE - LB Antoine Deslauriers & DB Nazir Ward.
— InsideTheLoudHouse (@LoudHouseFS) October 10, 2026
Last year, playing for UTEP, he completed 54.7 percent of his passes for 1,163 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions. Nelson has appeared in just one game to date for the 'Cuse, in the team's season-opening blowout win over New Hampshire at home. He went 0-of-2 with his pass attempts.
Other members of Syracuse football's quarterback room include fifth-year player Danny Lauter, sophomore Rich Belin, freshman Zaid Lott and sophomore Joseph Filardi. On Saturday morning, FanDuel had Virginia as a 10.5-point betting favorite, with the over-under set at 49.5 points.
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