Before taking Eugene, Oregon by storm, quarterback Bo Nix started his collegiate career in Auburn, AL. Nix’s dad had played for the Tigers and the future Duck star grew up just 9 hours from Jordan Hare Stadium.
So what made Nix leave the South and migrate west for his last two seasons of college ball?
“It's almost like an unhealthy obsession in the South. I was that way growing up – life and death football,” Nix told Ryen Russillo.
He was surrounded by the sport growing up, playing throughout middle and high school. When that offer came from Auburn, it seemed like all of his dreams were coming true.
Nix floundered at Auburn, after starting his career by defeating Oregon in a showstopping season opener. Over three seasons with the Tigers, Nix averaged just a 59.5 completion percentage on his pass attempts. He threw 39 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
He had to get out of the South.
Nix transferred to the University of Oregon in 2022, following former Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning’s flight path to the Pacific Northwest.
Without the immense pressure and unhealthy obsession, Nix was able to thrive and evolve into the record-setting quarterback we all know and love.
“I think that's the difference quite frankly, what's put into college football in the South and out here, football's just a game and we find joy in it."
Bo Nix says difference between SEC and football out West is 'unhealthy obsession': https://t.co/KMaJhWCNvt pic.twitter.com/BtQLwTqA13
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With the Ducks, Nix found his stride – and his arm.
Over two seasons playing for Oregon, Nix threw 10 interceptions and a jaw-dropping 74 touchdowns.
Oh, and that abysmal completion percentage? That skyrocketed to 74.4 percent in his final season, setting the NCAA single-season record.
Now, Nix is one of the top quarterbacks heading into the 2024 NFL Draft.
While many are saying that Nix simply couldn’t hack the SEC, his numbers speak for themselves – and keep in mind, he had to play against the 2024 national runner-up Washington Huskies not once but thrice in his time with the Ducks.