USC commit and 2023 5-star quarterback Malachi Nelson is signing with Klutch Sports, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. The Los Alamitos (Calif.) senior will become the sports agency’s first high school football client.

Nelson ranks as the fifth overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the 247 Composite. He’s the fourth-best quarterback and the second-best prospect from the state of California. Originally an Oklahoma commit, Nelson re-opened his recruitment when Lincoln Riley left town and eventually joined the Trojans class to stay with the head coach.

California was the first state to allow high school athletes to profit off of deals for their name, image, and likeness. Nelson has taken full advantage so far, signing an endorsement with The h.wood Group, a global hospitality firm with more than 30 clubs and restaurants.

In June, Nelson told Thamel that he expects to line up nearly $1 million in NIL deals before enrolling at USC next year.

Now, he’ll have one of the most respected and renowned sports agencies to represent him in that endeavor.

“Everyone knew it (NIL) was going to be a part of college football going forward, building rosters going forward. It’s going to be a factor,” Riley said at Pac-12 Media Day last month. “I certainly recognized the opportunities that existed in L.A. and specifically with USC and felt like there was no school more positioned to capitalize off NIL than us.

“Now that I’m boots on the ground, I believe that even more. It’s probably even more substantial than what I thought it could be.”

Sounds like that potential can expand some 30 miles southeast of L.A. as well.