The Devy Digest, featuring Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.
- Bo Nix
- Position: Quarterback
- Oregon Ducks
- 6’2” 216 lbs
- Age: 23
- Draft Eligible: 2022
- Devy Digest QB 2024 Draft Rank: 7
Who is Bo Nix?
Bo Nix was a 5⭐️ in the composites who attended Pinson Valley in Alabama. Nix has a very interesting story arc. At the end of his high school career, Nix amassed over 10,300 passing yards with 127 touchdowns and ran for over 2,100 yards and an additional 34 touchdowns. He won two state titles, and was named Gatorade Player of the Year in Alabama for 2018.
Bo Nix would be named a starter as a True Freshman at Auburn, under Kenny Dillingham’s system. He would lead them to a victory over Alabama and a 9-4 record. That earned Nix SEC Freshman of the Year honors. Nix showed flashes of being a blue chip recruit and brought promise of championship aspirations. However, things would change the following year.
That offseason, Kenny Dillingham would leave the program and Auburn implemented a new system. Nix’s Sophomore season was the COVID-19 season and Auburn fell short of expectations. Gus Malzahn (the coach that recruited him) left the program as well. Turnover in coaching, philosophy, and overall structure changed and Nix was effected by this as once his Junior season wrapped up in 2021. The promise that he once had faded away, and Nix would enter the transfer portal seeking a new home.
At the end of his time at Auburn, Nix was quoted as saying he was miserable during his tenure at Auburn. Let’s break down what transpired.
- The 2017 Auburn recruiting class was ranked 13th nationally. I won’t revisit the prospects that didn’t pan out, but it was viewed as a solid class.
- In 2018, the year before Nix would commit, Auburn had the 9th ranked recruiting class.
- In 2019, Nix would be a part of the 12th ranked class nationally.
On paper, it looked as if Auburn was building something that would sustain for years to come – but that wouldn’t be the case. As mentioned above, Nix found early success as a True Freshman with Kenny Dillingham. The two were a perfect match. But once Dillingham left the following year (along with the COVID season the year after) it seemed to have affected the team. They had a subpar year and it just snowballed from there as 2021 was a worse season.
For Nix to publicly state he was miserable at Auburn can’t be understated enough. There was plenty of turmoil behind the scenes with coaching changes and other issues. We would see Nix transfer out west to Oregon and reunite with Kenny Dillingham as his OC.
Dillingham runs a very QB-friendly offense, where pre-snap reads determine where the QB should go with the ball. It forces the QB to process quickly on the main read and react. Its concepts enhance the playmakers and give them space to create. The quarterback just needs to distribute. The offense furthermore puts stress on the defense. With its run concepts and a slew of backs to rotate, along with a mobile quarterback to tire the defense, it keep them on their heels.
Nix was able to thrive in this system. Dillingham would leave to become the head coach at Arizona State, but Oregon brought in a similar style of play with their new OC. Nix was able to replicate his success with a different offensive coordinator, but similar concepts.
Strengths
Bo Nix is able to create with his feet and through the air. Nix is a true dual threat quarterback. He has understated athleticism that should translate to the next level. Nix also has five full seasons under his belt as a collegiate starter; facing the stiffest defenses in the SEC as well as the speedy defenses in the Pac 12. Nix shows physicality and play strength, as he will absorb hits behind the line of scrimmage and extend those plays. He has a strong arm and can make the throws you want at each level. He’s able to change velocity to throw with touch, and has the experience to layer his throws to make the requisite off-platform throws.
Bo Nix / QB / #10
6’2 / 217 lbs / Senior
23’- 77%, 4,508yds, 45 TDs, 3 INTs
22’- 71%, 3,593yds, 29 TDs, 7 INTsBo “Pistol” Nix is a prospect that gets the ball out quick, efficiently, with mobility.
Here we see him navigate the pocket and his Quick Release.#HTTC pic.twitter.com/8PzkSHVSXE
— The Podfather (@TheBurgundyZone) January 19, 2024
Areas of Improvement & Concern
We’ve discussed his time at Auburn, but it cannot be understated enough how bad he was without Kenny Dillingham. He was borderline non-rosterable in any CFF format. Is Bo Nix just a beneficiary of a QB-friendly system predicated on getting wide receivers in space to create after the catch? Can Nix be in a system where he’s asked to make multiple reads and play within a structure of an offense; while making the difficult plays with his arm and not take off to at the slightest of pressure?
Bo Nix is someone who relies on his mobility to escape and take off. While Nix found success with Will Stein as his OC this year, they ran similar concepts to Dillingham’s scheme, so landing spot will be critical.
There are throws on his tape from the past two seasons where his inaccuracy shows. And as toolsy of an athlete he is, the accuracy issues will likely be part of his game on intermediate to deep throws. Don’t let the completion percentage is high at Oregon fool you. That was primarily due to concepts of players in space with easy short to intermediate throws where they can create after the catch. The deep passes and difficult intermediate attempts will find Nix missing. There’s a difference between box score scouting versus film – and those errors show up on tape.
This is one of those things that shows up on Bo Nix's tape that might have people calling me overcritical. I just don't understand this extra hop step hitch at the top of his drop, it causes him to be later than expected, placement was tough too.pic.twitter.com/SGiviv3vUj
— Nick Martin (@themicknartin) December 8, 2023
Devy & C2C Value
In Devy leagues, Bo Nix was probably a 4th round pick. If you can offload him, I would.
In C2C’s Nix is also a sell, if you can flip him for a top 15 QB, I would make that move. A Brock Purdy-esque player or even an aging asset such as Kirk Cousins or Russell Wilson. Nix, likely gave you a championship run in C2C leagues; hopefully, those who roster him have already tried to move him before this article has been published. But, there is still time and with this year’s QB class being up for grabs, there are managers who believe he will be a first round pick. We saw mocks towards the end of November where multiple outlets mocked Nix as a top 20 pick. You can use that and capitalize on a trade for an established QB at the NFL level.
NFL Outlook
Bo Nix should test fairly well prior to the NFL draft. He is athletic and his Pro Day is a controlled environment. With five years of collegiate starting experience, Nix should thrive in that atmosphere.
Nix’s playstyle reminds me of a young Ryan Tannehill and Mitch Trubisky. As stated earlier, some mocks have him going in Round 1, but I personally view him as a late Day 2 to early Day 3 prospect, but I understand why people might be higher on him. There are a lot of teams that need quarterbacks and youth is always key at the position, Nix will be 24 by the time the 2024 NFL Draft takes place. If he is a first round pick, he will get a 5th year option which would put him at age 29 by the time of his next contract.
Andy Pham
Andy is the creator of the Devy Digest. His passion is devy and C2C. Andy's Devy Diguest articles provide insightful, yet thoughtful commentary to give you a leg up on the devy prospects so you know how to approach your devy and C2C drafts. With The Devy Digest podcast, Andy provides episodes of interesting and exciting topics and when he invites guests, you get to be a fly on the wall, listening in on two people having a conversation where they give you a different perspective. Come, join the journey that is Andy's Devy Digest.