Bo Nix explains pros, cons of transfer portal

Last offseason, the Oregon Ducks brought in quarterback Bo Nix to lead the offense in head coach Dan Lanning’s first season as head coach. Lanning was quite familiar with Nix as he witnessed his playmaking ability up close and personal in the SEC.

So when he found out the former Auburn quarterback jumped into the transfer portal, he quickly put together his best pitch to get him to join him in Eugene, Oregon.

While the move was successful for Nix, there are some pros and cons to being a transfer quarterback. And at the Pac-12 Football Media Day on Friday, he gave some insight into the process, highlighting both the good and the bad.

“Yeah, being a graduate transfer, you know, really set my career up for success, and I was able to choose a place like Oregon and go and be a fit to them and, you know, be that extra piece that they were needing for their puzzle,” said Nix. “But I think NIL, you know, for — because of so many people that have done it before me, you know, I really, you know, take pride in what I’ve had the opportunity to do.

“You know, being a quarterback, not only at Auburn, but at Oregon, it’s a valuable thing and it really is nothing to be taken for granted. And you know, it’s a blessing to be a part of. There’s been so many guys before me that didn’t necessarily have the opportunity to win now. I can benefit from it and so can, you know, other collegiate athletes. I think if guys go in and kind of do it responsibly, then it’s a great thing. But at the same time, you got to be careful and all good things can have, you know, a dark side too. So, it’s just how each person handles it and how moving forward college football will handle it.”

Nix, a legacy player, believed he would spend his entire collegiate career at Auburn. Contrary to his belief and to the benefit of Oregon, that was not the case, as he traveled nearly across the country to become a Duck.

Despite having to learn the Oregon offense on the fly, Nix still put up solid numbers in 2022. Last season, he would throw for nearly 3600 yards while completing shy of 72 percent of his pass attempts with 29 touchdowns through the air, 14 on the ground, and one receiving touchdown.

As Nicks highlighted, he had to overcome many things to get the opportunity to lead Oregon into battle last season. But the Ducks signal-caller handled it well and performed at an elite level last season.

Now in the second season, without having to worry about the pros and cons of transferring, Nix is in a prime position to help Oregon take the next step in their journey and compete for a national championship in 2023.