Meet Eric and Naomi Nelson, the proud parents of Malachi Nelson. Eric, a passionate football enthusiast, has been a significant influence on his son’s journey in the sport. Recognizing Malachi’s remarkable arm strength from a young age, Eric guided him towards a promising football career. At just thirteen, Malachi earned the opportunity to play quarterback for Louisiana State University. Born on December 7, 2004, in Los Alamitos, California, Malachi Nelson currently showcases his talent as the quarterback for the South Carolina Trojans.
Having received scholarship offers for collegiate football while in seventh grade, Malachi’s remarkable skills continue to shine. His impressive performances, including being named the Press-Telegram Player of the Year in his junior season, solidified his status as the top recruit in the country according to ESPN.
Prior to committing to the University of Southern California (USC), Malachi received offers from renowned institutions such as Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Notre Dame, and Ohio State, following which he ended up choosing USC after the resignation of Oklahoma’s head coach.
Eric and Naomi Nelson
Eric and Naomi Nelson are the beloved parents of Malachi Nelson. Eric, widely known as a pastor at Calvary Chapel WestGrove in Garden Grove, has been happily married to Naomi for nearly two decades. Apart from Malachi, the couple has two other children. Naomi, who prefers a life away from the spotlight, has maintained a relatively low profile compared to her husband. Eric, fondly recalling his journey as the sole provider for his three children in California, takes pride in the success of his son with a name, image, and likeness (NIL) arrangement with The H.wood Group.
The Nelson duo has taken a cautious approach to NIL, seeking advice from other parents of young players to navigate this evolving landscape. For Eric, the focus has been on aligning with the right opportunities rather than solely chasing financial gain. He envisions witnessing Malachi’s future in the NFL and appreciates the mutual benefits that have emerged from his son’s success.
Life Post-NIL Contract
Following the NIL contract, Malachi upgraded from a 1999 Ford Escape to a 2022 Mercedes AMG GLE 53 Coupe, a change celebrated by Eric, who humorously referred to their old car as “The Dragon.” The proud father recognizes his son’s indulgent purchases but takes pride in his smart financial decisions and long-term investment strategies.
With his promising career and astute financial mindset, Malachi Nelson, at just 18 years old, stands as a player and individual to watch out for in the football world.
