Bo Nix says he had 'less opportunity and less freedom' at Auburn compared to Oregon

Bo Nix completely changed the way he is viewed as a quarterback during his two seasons at Oregon. After struggling with consistency across three years at Auburn, Nix went to play for the Ducks and developed into one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

Nix threw for more than 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns, with only three interceptions this past season while being named a Heisman finalist. As he prepares for the 2024 NFL Draft, Bo Nix recently joined Ryen Russillo to discuss a variety of topics. He was asked about his time at Auburn and Oregon and how he was different with the Ducks.

Nix insists that he was pretty much the same player at both schools.

“Same guy. Same toughness. Same competitiveness. I haven’t really developed that much physically, either. Same guy,” Bo Nix said. “I just think that less opportunity and less freedom at Auburn. It was just kind of not as flexible as what I was able to be when I got to Oregon and really use my strengths and go out there and perform at a high level.”

It’s not as if Nix was horrible at Auburn. After all, the Tigers were 9-4, 6-5 and 6-7 over his three years, reaching a bowl game all four seasons.

But after being ranked as a five-star recruit in the class of 2019, he didn’t put up the stats or wins that Auburn fans were hoping for.

“I think sometimes it’s forgotten that at Auburn we had some really good seasons, but I think overall that that is just something that is in the back of people’s minds,” Nix said. “But fortunately, there’s always something next and something else to go out there and do, and thank goodness that however people think, whatever opinions they have of Auburn, it doesn’t define who I am.”

Bo Nix did not reach the 2,600 yards passing mark in any of his three seasons at Auburn. His highest completion percentage during his time with the Tigers was 61 percent, and he never threw for more than 16 touchdowns in a year.

During his two seasons at Oregon, Bo Nix completed 71.9 percent of his passes and 77.4 percent of his passes during his two seasons.

The Alabama native threw for more than 3,500 yards in 2022 and more than 4,500 yards in 2023. Nix tossed 74 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions across his two seasons with the Ducks.

Oregon also reached double-digit wins both seasons Nix was leading the Ducks, including going 12-2 in 2023.