Bo Nix | QB | Oregon | 2024 Draft Eligible
Bo Nix is a 5th year senior QB for Oregon who has seen his NFL draft stock rise significantly since August. The Arkansas native attended high school at Pinson Valley in Pinson, AL. He had some truly phenomenal numbers in high school, surpassing 12,000 total yards, finding the end zone 161 times (127 passing, 34 rushing), and winning two state titles.
According to ESPN, Nix was a 4-star recruit and the 2nd-rated QB in his class (behind Florida QB Graham Mertz). He had offers from virtually every top Power 5 school in the country, electing to play for HC Gus Malzahn in Auburn.
Auburn: 2019-2021
Nix started as a freshman for the Tigers, posting promising numbers in Year 1. He threw for 2,542 yards, 16 TDs, and six INTs, with a 125-passer rating. Nix’s play was sufficient enough to help lead Auburn to a 9-4 record in 2019.
Bo was unable to make that sophomore jump many were expecting, posting similar passing numbers in 2020 and a worse TD: INT ratio (12:7). Auburn as a program took a step backward, finishing at 6-5 on the year, and Gus Malzahn was subsequently fired.
Nix’s junior season was under new HC Bryan Harsin (former Boise State head coach), but the results were similar to the prior season. Auburn finished 6-7, and Nix again posted wildly underwhelming numbers, totaling 2,294 pass yards, 11 TDs, and three INTs through ten contests. Auburn fans were growing impatient, and Nix was getting a lot of heat for his lack of progression.
Oregon: 2022-Present
After another disappointing campaign in 2021, Nix surprised many by entering the transfer portal and electing to play for HC Dan Lanning at Oregon. Nix’s reasoning behind his decision was to get out of the spotlight. The expectations that came with playing not only for an SEC program but the same program your dad played for in the 90s may have been too much for Bo to handle. He seemed to be playing tight at Auburn and needed to hit the reset button on his career, so to speak.
It turns out the transfer to Oregon was exactly what Bo needed to revitalize his career. In 2022, Nix led Oregon to a 10-3 record, finishing with over 3,500 yards passing and 29 pass TDs, with a passer rating of 165.7. On top of this, Nix had his best season as a rusher, collecting over 500 rush yards and finding the endzone FOURTEEN TIMES on the ground. He even sprinkled in some production as a receiver, with two receptions for 35 yards and one receiving touchdown!
As a 5th year senior, Bo Nix is currently third in the Heisman race (+600) according to DraftKings, behind Michael Penix Jr. (+210) and Caleb Williams (+230). Through five contests, Nix is averaging 292 pass yards and three pass TDs per game and has limited the mental mistakes, throwing just one interception so far on the year. Oregon is sitting at 5-0 and has a crucial game this Saturday at Washington (#7), who is also undefeated. And the schedule doesn’t get any easier the rest of the way for Oregon. Following Washington, they have Washington State (#19), Utah (#16), USC (#10), and Oregon State (#15) on the calendar. This Pac-12 conference is certainly a different animal than in years past. Nix will have ample opportunity to showcase his abilities against premier teams and further propel his draft stock if he can step up to the challenge.
It also doesn’t hurt that Nix gets to throw the ball to one of the most electric playmakers in the nation, Troy Franklin. The Junior standout is a consensus top-10 WR in this 2024 draft class and is projected as a mid-second-round pick in this year’s draft, according to the NFL Mock Draft Database. He also has Junior RB Bucky Irving in the backfield, who is undersized but plays much bigger than his frame. His elite quickness and pass-catching ability keep defenses honest and help make Nix’s life much easier.
Strengths/Weaknesses
Nix is mobile enough to extend plays and grab needed yardage with his feet when required. He has the prototypical build NFL scouts are looking for (6’2”, 213 lbs). Bo has a quick release, above-average footwork, and is innovative when a play breaks down.
Nix tended to force things and make erratic decisions under pressure, but he has improved on this over the past two seasons. His accuracy was a concern earlier in his career, but he’s also made significant strides in this department and has been one of the most accurate passers in the nation through five games in 2023. Nix can sometimes telegraph his passes or stick on a read for too long. And as mentioned, Bo had a fairly mediocre career against SEC defenses.
According to the NFL Mock Draft Database, Nix is projected to be a 2nd-round pick, 37th overall. He’s in a similar range to Quinn Ewers, Shedeur Sanders, Michael Penix Jr, and JJ McCarthy, all of whom are right on the line of being a first-round selection. With the number of big games Oregon has coming up in the next seven weeks, his performance should have a major effect on his draft stock heading into 2024. One of the biggest questions surrounding Nix is whether he can handle the pressure and perform at a high level when the stakes are high. While he has some inconsistencies, his skillset is as refined as any QB in this tier.
Dynasty/Devy Value
Bo Nix was probably a late-round Devy startup pick at best this offseason but has shot up in value after his blazing start in 2023. I would still lean with Penix Jr, Sanders, and Ewers over Nix as of now, but that may be something I need to reassess after this Saturday. Right now, I think Nix should be valued around a mid-fourth round Devy startup pick. It’s far more likely he becomes a backup QB at the next level, so it’s difficult to justify grabbing him any earlier than this. But as mentioned in the Penix Jr. article, draft capital will be the most telling piece of information for Nix. If his name gets called on Day 1, he’s a guy who could pay massive dividends on your fantasy team based on his current price tag.
Bo does have decent rushing upside, as he is nearing 1,500 rush yards and has totaled 33 rush TDs in his career thus far. If he finds himself in a starting role at the NFL level at some point, he may not win you matchups with his legs, but he has the ability to add a few more fantasy points on the ground than someone like Penix or Ewers would. Ultimately, I don’t expect Nix to land a starting role in the NFL at any point, but I am excited to see what he brings to the table in the second half of this college season. Things can change quickly if he continues to do the right things out there.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and I hope you got some valuable information you can use for your fantasy team! If you’d like additional insight into Dynasty Football news and analysis, please follow me on Twitter at @jim_DFF. Until next time, keep grinding out there, DFF family! #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding
