Will Syracuse football have another competition for the team's starting quarterback position in 2026.

That seems like a possibility after comments made by Fran Brown earlier this week to Andy Staples of On3. Staples was joined by Brown and shared some of his thoughts on quarterback Malachi Nelson, who is a former top recruit.

"I’m super impressed. I can’t wait to watch him and Steve compete.”

and "He's not really worrying about the world no more"

It's not surprising to see Brown be excited about his players, but it is surprising to hear him talk so openly about a quarterback competition. Steve Angeli led the Orange to a 3-1 record in 2025 before missing the rest of the season with a torn Achilles. SU went 0-8 without him and it's just been expected that he'd step right back into the starting quarterback role.

Nelson, a California native, is a recent addition to the roster via the transfer portal. In 2023, ESPN named Nelson the No.1 recruit in the country. Nelson signed with USC out of high school but did not see action as eventual Heisman Trophy winner and NFL number No. 1 draft pick pick, Caleb Williams, led the Trojans.

Nelson left the program and joined Boise State the following season. After losing the starting job competition to Maddux Madden, Nelson saw action in just three games. Last season, Nelson started for the first time in his career, this time as the quarterback at UTEP. In five starts for the Miners, he threw 8 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. 

Last summer, Angeli and Rickie Collins battled for the team's starting quarterback before Angeli was named the team's starter in August.

Angeli's mid-season injury forced Collins into the team's starting role for a majority of the games in 2025. Collins, the former LSU quarterback, struggled in seven games (five starts) throwing just 6 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Collins averaged less than 150 yards per game through the air. In January, Collins announced he would be leaving Syracuse and would be joining Kennesaw State. In an ironic twist, former Kennesaw State QB Amari Odom will also compete for time at Syracuse this season.

If healthy enough to start the season, Angeli is the right choice for for Brown's starting quarterback.

Angeli finished the 2025 season with 1,317 passing yards, 10 touchdown and two interceptions.

Earlier this year, Angeli was highlighted by ESPN in its preseason ranking of Power Four quarterbacks across the country. Nelson's lack of consistency across his career, along with a fourth school in four years, is a potential risk in comparison to Angeli. 

Angeli, the former Notre Dame quarterback, did not participate in the team's spring game this past month. Although he did appear on the practice field during the spring season, no timetable has been offered by the University on when Angeli could be cleared to return to game action. 

The Orange open their season on Sept. 5 inside the JMA Wireless Dome against New Hampshire. Kickoff time is still to be determined. 

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