Dan Lanning evaluates the play of quarterbacks behind Bo Nix

Bo Nix is returning to Oregon for his second season with the program and fifth in college football. He’s the clear starter for Dan Lanning’s Ducks. Still, the team needs to be prepared for anything at that position throughout the 2023 season.

Now, Lanning has broken down those quarterbacks behind Bo Nix this season.

“Ty [Thompson] had a really good day today,” Dan Lanning said. “I thought today was probably Ty’s most impressive practice so far this spring. Thought he did a lot of really good things out there, operating as a quarterback.”

Now a redshirt sophomore, Ty Thompson is the presumed backup to Bo Nix. However, Lanning is hoping to have competition behind Bo Nix. In particular, he’s looking for Austin Novosad, a four-star freshman from the Class of 2023, to push Thompson.

“Austin’s continuing to come along there, but continue to create more competition at that position.”

Oregon is coming up on its second spring scrimmage and Dan Lanning is going to want to see that competition between backups heat up. He’ll also want the team as a whole to work on situational football.

“We’ll just incorporate a couple more situations,” Lanning said. “Try to create the game before the game, talking about scenarios about when it’s right to go down as a runner in bounds as opposed to out of bounds, situational football like that.”

Things are different for Bo Nix in year two

In Bo Nix’s second season at Oregon, things are going to be a little bit different, as Dan Lanning explained.

“I had a long convo with Bo yesterday. There’s a big difference in where he is this year compared to where he was last year. It was kind of ‘earning the respect’ versus ‘he’s earned the respect.’ Now that leadership role is expected for Bo. Expect him to step and he has those traits,” Lanning said.

“He’s been that guy. But certainly you want the best from your best players. He’s proven to be one of our better players, especially in this conference and the nation, at quarterback. Want to see that carry over to the field.”

Another big change is more tangible. He has a new offensive coordinator in Will Stein. Luckily, it seems like Stein is excited to get to work with Bo Nix.

“I always thought he was such a great player from afar. Obviously his time at Auburn might not have been what everybody else expected it to be. But I know he appreciates everything that happened there because of where he is now. It brought him to Oregon,” Stein said.

“And then getting on the phone with him initially? I was a little mind blown with his intensity and what he was looking for from a coach and an offensive standpoint. [Nix] asked questions that were extremely mature and well thought out. He has made me better as a coach. He puts me in a position to really think as a coach, which I really appreciate.”