The Denver Broncos hope they found a franchise quarterback in Bo Nix, whom they drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. As a rookie, Nix has exceeded all expectations and led the Broncos to the playoffs, giving the organization hope that he’s a long-term solution under center.
While the No. 12 overall pick has been a pleasant surprise throughout the 2024 NFL season, he wouldn’t be in this position today without his support system, which includes his parents, Patrick and Krista, and his wife, Izzy Smoke. Here’s everything you need to know about Nix’s significant other.
Meet Izzy Smoke, Bo Nix’s Wife
Izzy Nix was born and raised in Birmingham, Ala. From a very young age, she competed in gymnastics and also played soccer and basketball in high school, winning the girls’ championship in 2017. She was a gymnast for 12 years.
Smoke attended Auburn University from 2019 to 2022, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and minors in Psychology and Sport Coaching.
This is where Bo and Izzy first met, as Nix was Auburn’s starting quarterback for three years prior to transferring to Oregon and Smoke was on the Tigers’ cheerleading team in 2020. She made the team despite having no experience as a cheerleader.
She has said that her favorite Auburn tradition is Rolling Toomer’s Corner, and her favorite band song is “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor.
Izzy has always been passionate about sports and fitness, and she’s currently a fitness coach at F45 Training. Izzy has said that she and Bo bonded over their competitiveness.
“Bo and I are equally competitive and ambitious,” she explained. “We both grew up playing multiple sports and were taught to never back down from a challenge. We push each other towards our goals and to be better versions of ourselves daily.”
The couple announced their engagement on Instagram on July 30, 2021, with pictures of the ring overlooking Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Smoke wrote on Instagram, “Lifting my eyes up towards our Father – the One who not only answered my prayers, but exceeded them. Bo Chapman Nix, it is my greatest honor and joy that you have chosen me to be your WIFE. I cannot wait to run the rest of my race with Christ before me and beside you. HERE’S TO LOVING YOU FOREVER!!!!!!!”
Nix also shared his excitement on Instagram, writing, “God is so good! I knew from the first moment I laid eyes on you that you were special. I cannot wait to be your husband. Here’s to forever with you, Izzy Smoke!”
Nix and Smoke got married in a summer wedding in 2022 in Alpine, Ala.
“I can’t believe I get to call this man my HUSBAND!!! Bo Chapman Nix, you are my best friend and my greatest gift from God,” Smoke wrote on Instagram. “I love you more than words can say. Thank you for choosing me to be your wife and for loving me so well. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us as we start this new adventure together!”
The newlyweds honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Meet the Family of Izzy Smoke
Izzy was born to Dawn Smith Smoke and Sammy Smoke. She is the second daughter in the Smoke family and has two sisters, an older sibling named Abbie Smoke-Horton and Millie Smoke.
Izzy also has a brother, Luke. Interestingly, Millie is also a cheerleader at Auburn University.
Izzy’s father, Sammy, is the treasurer, controller, and CFO of Strickland Trading Inc. in Alabama. He joined Strickland Trading in 2015 after working for 24 years at Crest Realty Inc. and serving as the CFO for Brigham Williams Commercial Properties.
He earned his bachelor’s in business administration from Auburn University in 1988, then joined Donaldson, Holman & West as a public accountant.
Denver Broncos vs. Buffalo Bills Game Preview
- Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York
- Time: 1 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS/Paramount+
Nix is trying to lead the Broncos to a playoff win over the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round.
Denver leads the league in Defense+, with blitzing serving as a cornerstone of their identity. Vance Joseph’s unit has blitzed at the third-highest rate of any defense this season.
For the Broncos to pull off the upset, playing from ahead will be essential. Bo Nix has been an above-average quarterback this season when playing with a lead but significantly less effective when attempting to lead a comeback.
The challenge for them is that their blitzing hasn’t been particularly effective, despite its frequency. Denver ranks 16th in pressure rate (41%) and 25th in success rate (50%) when sending extra pass rushers. In contrast, when the Broncos refrain from blitzing, they rank second in pressure rate (39%) and first in success rate (64%).
However, that could play into Josh Allen’s strengths. Allen thrives under pressure, ranking second in EPA per dropback when blitzed (0.30), trailing only Lamar Jackson. By traditional stats, Allen has thrown 15 touchdowns to just two interceptions when facing the blitz this season.
This is the sixth straight season in which Josh Allen is playing on Wild Card Weekend – he’s completed at least 70% of his passes in three of his past four, with multiple touchdown tosses in each of those contests (one touchdown pass for every 13.5 attempts across those four games).
Josh Allen has experienced some incredible playoff highs but also some recent lows. According to PFN’s QB+ metric, which dates back to 2019, Allen delivered the single best postseason performance on record. He achieved a perfect 100 A+ score in 2021, throwing nine touchdowns and zero interceptions in just two games.
However, in every other postseason of Allen’s career, his performance has been graded at a C-level or lower. Apart from 2021, he has never ranked higher than eighth in a single postseason by PFN’s QB+ metric.
Despite some recent playoff struggles, Allen has still thrown 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions in his postseason career. Among the 51 quarterbacks to throw 10 or more playoff touchdowns, his TD-to-INT ratio is the second-best in history, trailing only Alex Smith.
Allen and this unit have as high of a ceiling as any offense in the playoffs.
Allen has a chance to win 2024 MVP honors and seemingly made history every week. Buffalo’s offense is operating at such a high level that the bar to clear for the defense is lower than it would be on nearly any other team.
The Bills have met that threshold against lesser competition but will be challenged in the playoffs to help the Allen-Sean McDermott combination reach its first Super Bowl.