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PFF lists Bo Nix among college football's top draft-eligible quarterbacks

Jarrid Denneyby:Jarrid Denney•05/08/23•

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(Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)

In 2023, the Pac-12 will feature as much sheer talent at the quarterback position as it has during any season in recent memory.

While we’re still a few months out from the start of next season, the debate as to where Oregon’s Bo Nix ranks among the top NFL Draft-eligible signal-callers in the nation is already taking shape.

Pro Football Focus released a list of its top 10 draft-eligible signal-callers last week and featured three Pac-12 players among that group — including Nix.

Oregon’s star senior landed at No. 5 on this list behind USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., and Texas’s Quinn Ewers.

Here’s the rundown on Nix from PFF’s Max Chadwick.

“Nix enjoyed a career resurgence in 2022. His 69.7% adjusted completion rate across his first three seasons at Auburn ranked just 108th among FBS quarterbacks. But this past season, Nix’s 82.3% mark led the Power Five and ranked second in the nation. He has special moments outside of structure and has the arm talent to make any throw. It’ll be interesting to see how he fares without offensive coordinator Kenny Dillingham, who was hired to be Arizona State’s head coach.”

During his debut campaign with the Ducks, Nix produced one of the greatest statistical seasons ever by an Oregon quarterback. He 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 single-season mark in Oregon history and ranked second nationally in 2022.

Nix’s 14 rushing touchdowns were the most in the nation for a quarterback.

As Chadwick notes, Nix, of course, will be working with a new offensive coordinator this season after Kenny Dillingham departed Eugene for the Arizona State head coaching job last November.

Oregon replaced Dillingham with former UTSA head coach Will Stein, who orchestrated one of the more productive offenses in the nation last fall.

While speaking with reporters in April, Nix said he and Stein quickly forged a strong bond. His first conversation with Stein was a big factor in his decision to return to Oregon for the 2023 season.

“At the time, I still didn’t know my decision yet. So after that conversation, I knew we got a good one,” Nix said. “Seeing him in person and getting to hear his thoughts and see what he likes from the passing game, run game, and different auxiliary stuff — it’s just fun talking and learning ball with guys like that.

“We’re like-minded, smart, and good guys who want to have success.”

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