Oregon football has helped and watched Quarterback Bo Nix over the last two years. This season, Nix helped Oregon to an 11-2 record and was named a Heisman Trophy finalist along with fellow Pac-12 QB Michael Penix, Jr., LSU’s Jayden Daniels, and Ohio State Wide Receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Down the stretch both Penix and Nix led their teams. The Ducks lost to Washington twice during the regular season, both at the hands of Penix and the Huskies. The final season of the Pac-12 as we know it saw both Michael Penix, Jr and Bo Nix at the front of the pack. Dan Lanning and the Ducks played well down the stretch and reeled off six straight wins prior to their loss in the Pac-12 Championship game.
I expected the Heisman Trophy voters may have waited for that moment to vote, perhaps some did. There was ultimately a player who was better than Nix and Penix. Jayden Daniels.
Daniels transferred from Arizona State to LSU two seasons ago and in that time reset the record book. Despite their record this season, Daniels like Nix and Penix, was the orchestrator on offense for the Tigers. He did it with both his arm and his legs, but the power of his distance throws downfield were what made the highlight reel.
Jayden Daniels had 70 passes on the season of 20 yards or more. On the ground he averaged better than 8 yards per attempt, good enough for fourth in FBS for running backs which is equally impressive. When the winner for the Heisman Trophy for 2023 was announced on Saturday night, it was clear to most in the room and to me it was going to Daniels.
At the end of the night, Michael Penix, Jr finished second in the voting, Bo Nix was in third place. Ultimately to be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy is an honor for any player. Nix will now turn his focus back to football and play one more game for the Ducks.
Oregon will face Liberty in the Fiesta Bowl on January 1st.