By Tony Thomas
The Broncos of Boise State continue their string of talented quarterbacks, UNLV lands a defensive back to reunite with Barry Odom, and the Gamecocks of South Carolina beefed up their offensive line.
QB Malachi Nelson
Boise State Broncos (from USC)
6’3”, 190 lbs.
With four years of college ball left to play, Malachi Nelson completed just one pass for USC in 2023 as a true freshman, as he was stuck behind the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. Nelson was the 5th ranked quarterback prospect in the 2023 class, a class that included Arch Manning (Texas), Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee), Dante Moore (UCLA/Oregon), and Jackson Arnold (Oklahoma).
Nelson passed for 2,898 yards, 35 TDs, and just four INTs during his senior year at Los Alamitos High School, on his way to being named the California Gatorade Player of the Year.
Nelson choosing Boise State continues the string of talented quarterbacks to lead the Broncos on the field, including all-time school passing leader Kellen Moore, along with Brett Rypien, Ryan Dinwiddie, Bart Hendricks, and Jared Zabransky.
GOOD MORNING!#BOOM💥: https://t.co/wfY7k8g7B4 https://t.co/9OJzZbWrwC
— Jay Tust (@Jay_Tust) January 7, 2024
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Going into spring practice, Nelson will battle Maddux Madsen for the QB1 spot.
RB Peny Boone
Louisville Cardinals (from Toledo)
6’1”, 242 lbs.
The 2023 MAC Offensive Player of the Year, Peny Boone, rushed for 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 7.22 yards per carry. Boone posted eight games of over 100 yards rushing, including 211 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-31 win over Western Michigan. In addition, he scored three rushing touchdowns twice.
Get Toledo RB Peny Boone in a Louisville uniform ASAP
‘Baby Bus’ is 6’1 & 242 lbs…he reached 21 MPH on this play😳
pic.twitter.com/G1lnlYSyyS— Dalton Pence (@dpence_) January 5, 2024
Boone is a great receiver out of the backfield, having gained 219 receiving yards in 2023. He has a big frame and the build and pass-catching skills to be an every-down back.
The Detroit native will be the most productive running back in the room in 2024 for Louisville, and his rushing numbers would have led the Cardinals this past season.
DB Jalen Catalon
UNLV Rebels (from Texas)
5’10” 202 lbs.
A former All-SEC selection, Jalen Catalon played in eight games in 2023, making 17 tackles, one tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. For his career, Catalon has made 176 tackles, four forced fumbles, five INTs, and nine pass break-ups.
Coming to DKR next fall, Jalen Catalon. A former first team All-SEC safety is joining the Longhorns secondary. pic.twitter.com/ULKzBmfEBh
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) January 9, 2023
Catalon reunites with UNLV head coach Barry Odom, who coached him at Arkansas as the Razorbacks defensive coordinator. Odom led UNLV to a 9-5 record and a berth in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game.
LB Scooby Williams
Texas A&M Aggies (from Florida)
6’2”, 230 lbs.
A linebacker who loves confrontation at the line of scrimmage and can get to the ball carrier quickly, Scooby Williams racked up 53 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, and forced two fumbles. Williams recorded eight tackles against both Tennessee and Arkansas.
👨🏽🦯 pic.twitter.com/itKf4VRtkH
— Scooby Williams (@officiallscoob) December 9, 2023
OL Aaryn Parks
South Carolina Gamecocks (from Oklahoma)
6’4”, 301 lbs.
A 4-star recruit out of high school, Parks chose Oklahoma over Alabama, Florida, and Penn State. Aryn Parks played in three games for the Sooners: vs Arkansas State, Tulsa, and West Virginia. He played on a unit that ranked #38 in the FBS in sacks allowed with 20.
