Oregon’s Bo Nix‘s path to the NFL was not exactly linear, as there were certainly a couple of hiccups along the way. Let’s take a look at Nix’s history and see how he developed into a potential future NFL starting QB.
Where Did Bo Nix’s Football Career Start?
Nix went to Pinson Valley High School in Pinson, Ala. While at Pinson Valley, his father was the head coach of the football team.
Unsurprisingly, Nix was an incredibly prolific high school player, accounting for over 12,000 yards and 161 touchdowns.
As a senior, Nix won Alabama’s Mr. Football award, which goes to the top high school player in the entire state.
Nix’s impressive college stats earned him offers from 18 collegiate programs. Rated the No. 1 dual-threat QB of his class, Nix committed to and enrolled at Auburn ahead of the 2019 season.
Revisiting Nix’s College Career
Auburn
Nix’s Auburn career started out quite well, first by winning the starting job as a true freshman. In 13 games, Nix threw for 2,542 yards, 16 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Nix also ran for 313 yards and seven touchdowns. His performance earned him SEC Freshman of the Year honors.
After Nix’s first year at Auburn, things got a little rocky, and the 2020 season was inherently problematic due to the complications presented by the pandemic. Still, Nix started 11 games, throwing for 2,415 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while adding 388 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
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The 2021 season was easily the lowest point of Nix’s collegiate career. Playing under new head coach Bryan Harsin, Nix was quite unhappy. He threw for 2,294 yards, 10 touchdowns, and three interceptions in 10 starts. On the ground, Nix managed just 168 yards and four touchdowns. There was even an instance where Nix was benched in the fourth quarter for backup TJ Finley.
Nix’s Auburn career ended after a Week 10 season-ending injury against Mississippi State.
Oregon
Although eligible to enter the 2022 NFL Draft, Nix chose to continue his college career. He transferred to Oregon.
Playing in the Ducks’ high-octane offense, Nix’s production exploded. He threw for 3,593 yards and 29 touchdowns with just seven interceptions in his first year at Oregon while adding 510 yards and a whopping 14 touchdowns via the ground.
Bo Nix vs. No. 9 ranked UCLA:
♨️ 22 of 28 passing
♨️ 334 total yards
♨️ 5 TDspic.twitter.com/h0QdrvNb8B— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 24, 2022
Although Nix did not redshirt any of his four years at college, he was able to return to Oregon for a fifth collegiate season due to athletes in college in 2020 being granted an extra year of eligibility due to COVID-19.
As a fifth-year senior, Nix posted the best season of his college career. He threw for 4,508 yards and 45 touchdowns with a mere three interceptions. Nix did take a step back as a runner with only 234 yards and six touchdowns. However, given how impressive he was as a passer, this should not be viewed as a negative.
Nix declared for the 2024 NFL Draft after his fifth-year senior season was complete.
Nix’s Potential in the NFL
PFN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings sees a high ceiling for Nix on the professional level, but his landing spot will be key.
“There are still areas for Nix to improve in structure. He can be more disciplined with his footwork and his depth on drop-backs, and while he’s able to anticipate windows and throw receivers open, there’s still a level of comfort he has yet to consistently hit with tight-window throws.
“Earlier in his career, Nix was a volatile but talented passer whose flaws were placed under the microscope at Auburn. But at Oregon, Nix was able to find stability and proper support and build upon his foundation as an elite creator and passing talent.
“Nix reached his peak form in 2023, showing off his skills as an absurdly efficient distributor and game manager, with the athleticism to create, the arm talent to keep the offense on schedule, and the accuracy to help WRs make the most of their opportunities.”
KEEP READING: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Bo Nix
Cummings believes Nix can step in and start early in his career but still needs some development to become a true difference-maker.
“Early in his NFL career, Nix should be able to command an offense and perform as a solid starter with combined playmaker and distributor appeal. And if he can take the next steps in his development — gaining more comfort as a layered processor and trimming down extraneous footwork — he has the upside to be an impact starter.”
Highlights, Records, and More
Nix’s 77.45% completion percentage in his final season at Oregon broke the NCAA record. His stellar fifth-year senior season earned him a spot as a Heisman finalist. He wound up finishing third behind Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and the winner, LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
CFN recognized Nix’s incredible production, naming him its 2023 Offensive Player of the Year, Quarterback of the Year, and a First-Team All-American Offense member.
Nix also won Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2023 and was named to First-Team All-Pac-12.
Nix’s accomplishments weren’t limited to just football. He received the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is awarded based on an elite combination of academics, community service, and on-field performance. It has been appropriately nicknamed the “Academic Heisman.”
Although Nix is an older prospect entering the NFL at the age of 24, he comes to the league with an impressive college resume. In the right environment, Nix can be cultivated into a true franchise QB. The upside is undoubtedly there. The only question is to what extent he will realize it.
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