It didn't take long for former Oregon stars Bo Nix and Bucky Irving to earn the respect of the NFL. After incredible rookie seasons that saw both of them in the Wild Card round of the Playoffs, Nix and Irving had already left their mark on the league.
Now, with the end of the season rapidly approaching, end-of-year awards are starting to roll out and none other than the two former Ducks are on the list of finalists for the Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year.
Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year finalists
- Bo Nix, QB, Denver Broncos
- Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
- Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders
- Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
Bo Nix Rookie of the Year resume
Nix led the Broncos to their first Playoff appearance since 2015. His growth and maturity throughout the season made his production levels and stats rise as he and Denver finished with a 10-7 overall record. He earned Rookie of the Week honors in weeks 10, 11, and 12.
- 376 completions (66.3 percent)
- 3,775 passing yards
- 29 passing touchdowns
- 430 rushing yards
- 4 rushing touchdowns
Bucky Irving Rookie of the Year resume
Irving evolved into Tampa Bay's go-to guy on the ground throughout the regular season, outrushing the veteran RB Rachaad White by more than 500 yards, despite playing less than 35 percent of the Buccaneers' offensive snaps.
- 207 carries
- 1,122 rushing yards
- 8 rushing touchdowns
- 47 receptions
- 392 receiving yards
- 1 receiving touchdown (Wild Card game)
Both Nix and Irving made their cases throughout the regular season to earn their place on the final ballot for ROTY, despite each losing in their first-ever Playoff appearances. The two former Oregon stars became stars at the next level in just one season.
Voting for Rookie of the Year ends on Jan. 31, 2025 and the 2024 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year will be recognized during Super Bowl Week in New Orleans.