South Alabama has made its first transfer portal addition for 2024 in former Purdue offensive lineman Malachi Preciado.

Preciado (6-foot-1, 310 pounds) played in seven games the last three seasons for the Boilermakers, including five this past season. He has three years of eligibility remaining.

A New Orleans native, Preciado was rated a 3-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting class. He has experience playing both center and guard.

Preciado, who is expected to enroll in school in January, joins a South Alabama offensive line that must replace starting center Reggie Smith in 2024. Junior Reed Buys (a Mississippi State transfer who finished the season as the Jaguars’ starting right guard), sophomore Kenton Jerido and sophomore Lucas Taylor (a Mississippi State transfer who missed all of 2023 for medical reasons) are among those expected to compete at center in the spring.

Buys and fellow starter Dontae Lucas are set to return at guard next season, as are veterans James Robinson and Reid Gavin. Freshman John Ward redshirted in 2023.

South Alabama (6-6) faces Eastern Michigan (6-6) in the 68 Ventures Bowl on Dec. 23 at Hancock Whitney Stadium.