Bo Nix has shown NFL scouts 2022 season was not a fluke

Bo Nix played his final game for Auburn against Mississippi State, suffering a heartbreaking loss at Jordan-Hare Stadium. An injured ankle kept him out of the rest of the 2021 season, ending his time on the Plains in disappointing fashion. Nix entered the NCAA transfer portal and wound up at Oregon with Dan Lanning.

When he committed to Oregon, you would have never expected Nix to be a legitimate early-round NFL Draft prospect. But an incredible 2022 season put him on the radar and now, there has been even more progress this season. Nix is proving it was not a fluke, one-year wonder, and he can consistently play high-level football.

“He went out to Oregon, he shed a lot of bad habits that he developed while he was at Auburn,” Senior Bowl EVP Jim Nagy said during Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “But now, it’s Year Two. You’re seeing some consistency in his play. It wasn’t just a one-year spike. And it’s not like he’s leveled off. He continues to get better and better.”

Nix set career highs in a ton of stats last year. Attempts, completions, completion percentage, yards, and touchdowns were all higher than ever. Coming back for the 2023 season meant Nix had an opportunity to provide the same kind of results but has only improved.

There is more to Nix’s game improving than just the basic stats looking good. Lanning has talked about the quarterback being able to command the offense. In fact, those stats do not matter to the quarterback, he just wants to win with Oregon.

“He’s done everything he needs to do,” Nix said. “He’s won from inside the pocket, he’s made plays outside the pocket — which he has always done. But I think it’s the work inside the pocket and I heard Dan Lanning make a comment like ‘Bo doesn’t get enough credit for getting us in and out of enough plays and not worrying about his stats.’

“So, just his command of that offense and another year of showing these NFL scouts like ‘Listen, last year wasn’t a fluke. Here are the strides I’ve made.’ So, there’s a ton to like on Bo’s tape this year.”

Nix will still want to prove a couple of more things in college. Oregon currently has a 7-1 record and is still a threat to make the College Football Playoff. Winning out and a Pac-12 Championship likely will be required to get there.

But once the season is over, there will be plenty of opportunities for him in the NFL. Scouts have to be impressed with what they have seen over the past two seasons.