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Oregon's Bo Nix named to Davey O'Brien Award watch list

Jarrid Denneyby:Jarrid Denney•08/08/23•

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(Ali Gradischer / Stringer PhotoG/Getty Images)

The preseason accolades continue to roll in for Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.

On Tuesday, the Davey O’Brien Foundation announced its 2023 preseason watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award, which is given annually to the top quarterback in the country. Nix was one of 35 players who made the cut.

A semifinalist for the 2022 award, Nix was among the four Pac-12 quarterbacks selected for the 2023 watch list. Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., Utah’s Cam Rising, and USC’s Caleb Williams — who won the award last year — also made the cut.

After transferring to Oregon last offseason, Nix was one of the top quarterbacks in the nation during his first campaign with the Ducks.

In 13 games last season, Nix went 294-for-409 passing (71.9%) for 3,593 yards with 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also ran for 510 yards on 89 carries (5.7 yards-per-carry) and 14 touchdowns.

Nix’s 71.9% completion percentage was the best in school history for a single season and his 3,593 passing yards were the fourth-most in school history. His 14 rushing touchdowns were the most of any FBS quarterback in the nation last season.

As he enters his final college season, Nix was asked earlier this week how his approach to fall camp has changed since his freshman year at Auburn.

“Much different. How I go about practice is much different,” Nix said. “I’ve grown from different mistakes. I think the overall processing of a defense is much different. I’m much more familiar with the nuances of playing the position; like, movements and cadences and all that stuff that you’ve done a lot in the past, so you’re kind of used to it. I feel kind of relaxed and calm back there. It’s a good feeling. Doing it for this long, I guess you better feel that way.”

Davey O’Brien preseason watch list

Carter Bradley, South Alabama, Sr., 6-3, 216, Jacksonville, Fla.
Chevan Cordeiro, San Jose State, Sr., 6-1, 196, Honolulu, Hawai’i
Jalon Daniels, Kansas, Jr., 6-0, 215, Lawndale, Calif.
Jayden Daniels, LSU, Sr., 6-4, 210, San Bernardino, Calif.
Quinn Ewers, Texas, So., 6-2, 195, Southlake, Texas
Dequan Finn, Toledo, Jr., 6-2, 205, Detroit, Mich.
Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma, Sr., 5-11, 204, Mililani, Hawai’i
Taylen Green, Boise State, So., 6-6, 223, Lewisville, Texas
Frank Harris, UTSA, Sr., 6-0, 205, Schertz, Texas
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame, Sr., 6-1, 212, Charlotte, N.C.
Seth Henigan, Memphis, Jr., 6-3, 210, Denton, Texas
Will Howard, Kansas State, Sr., 6-5, 242, Downingtown, Pa.
KJ Jefferson, Arkansas, Sr., 6-3, 247, Sardis, Miss.
Cade Klubnik, Clemson, So., 6-2, 195, Austin, Texas
Devin Leary, Kentucky, Sr., 6-1, 217, Sicklerville, N.J.
Riley Leonard, Duke, Jr., 6-4, 212, Fairhope, Ala.
Drake Maye, North Carolina, So., 6-4, 230, Huntersville, N.C.
Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina, Sr., 6-3, 220, Indian Trail, N.C.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan, Jr., 6-3, 202, La Grange Park, Ill.
Joe Milton III, Tennessee, Sr., 6-5, 235, Pahokee, Fla.
Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin, Sr., 6-2, 218, Waco, Texas
Bo Nix, Oregon, Sr., 6-3, 214, Pinson, Ala.
Michael Penix Jr., Washington, Sr., 6-3, 213, Tampa, Fla.
John Rhys Plumlee, UCF, Sr., 6-0, 200, Hattiesburg, Miss.
Michael Pratt, Tulane, Jr., 6-3, 220, Boca Raton, Fla.
Austin Reed, Western Kentucky, Jr., 6-2, 230, St. Augustine Beach, Fla.
Cameron Rising, Utah, Sr., 6-2, 220, Ventura, Calif.
Will Rogers, Mississippi State, Jr., 6-2, 210, Brandon, Miss.
Kurtis Rourke, Ohio, Sr., 6-5, 231, Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Garrett Shrader, Syracuse, Sr., 6-4, 225, Charlotte, N.C.
Jeff Sims, Nebraska, Jr., 6-4, 220, Jacksonville, Fla.
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland, Sr., 5-11, 208, Ewa Beach, Hawai’i
Jordan Travis, Florida State, Sr., 6-1, 212, West Palm Beach, Fla.
E.J. Warner, Temple, So., 6-0, 190, Phoenix, Ariz.
Caleb Williams, USC, Jr., 6-1, 220, Washington, D.C.

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