Oregon's Bo Nix named to Maxwell Award Watch List
The preseason accolades have begun to roll in for Oregon quarterback Bo Nix.
On Monday, Nix was among the 85 players named to the Maxwell Award watch list. The Maxwell Award, which was founded in 1937 and named after Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, a Swarthmore College football player, coach, and sportswriter, is given annually to the top player in college football. USC quarterback Caleb Williams won the award in 2022.
Nix is one of 11 Pac-12 players who made the cut.
As he enters his fifth and final college season, Nix is coming off a sensational debut season in Eugene after transferring in from Auburn last offseason.
In 13 games, Nix finished the year 294-for-409 passing (71.9%) for 3,593 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also ran for 510 yards on 89 carries (5.7 yards-per-carry) and 14 touchdowns.
His completion percentage was the best in school history for a single season and was second-best among all FBS quarterbacks in 2022.
After the season, Oregon offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham departed the program to become the head coach at Arizona State. After Dillingham’s departure, many expected Nix to enter the NFL Draft.
But he opted to return to Eugene for his senior season and is now expected to be among the top quarterbacks in all of college football.
“I just wanted to exhaust everything I could in college. I didn’t want to have any regrets,” Nix said in April. “I was in a situation which was fortunate. Both were great opportunities and both would’ve been great decisions. Now that I chose Oregon, I’m all-in and it’s going to be a great season.”
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This season, Nix will work under newly-hired offensive coordinator Will Stein, who served in the same role at UTSA in 2022. Stein and Nix have forged a quick connection, according to those within the program.
“Getting on the phone with him initially, I was a little mind-blown by his intensity and what he was looking for from a coach and offense,” Stein said in April. “He asked questions that are extremely mature and well-thought-out. He’s made me better as a coach.
“He puts me in a position to really think as a coach, which I really appreciate.”
In 2023, Nix will work with a star-studded surrounding cast that includes running back Bucky Irving, receivers Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson, and tight end Terrance Ferguson, among others.
Oregon is scheduled to open its season on Sept. 2 against Portland State at Autzen Stadium in Eugene.
